In the 3rd book of the Simon & Elizabeth Mysteries, Elizabeth Tudor is accused of treason and imprisoned in the Tower of London. Most, including Elizabeth herself and her old friend Simon Maldon, believe she will never leave the place alive.

Loyal to a fault, Simon manages to get in to see his "Highness," once a princess but now demoted to simply Lady Elizabeth. Leaving the Tower, Simon meets another old friend, Peto the Pope. Peto is accused of murder but swears he is innocent. Simon investigates to learn what really happened.

At the same time, Simon's wife Hannah takes in a frightened pregnant girl who refuses to identify herself. Hannah is captivated when her guest has a baby girl. Childless herself, she's determined to help this mother and child get a start in life.

Distracted by his desire to help Elizabeth and prove Peto's innocence, Simon pays little attention to what's happening at home. Neither he nor Hannah realizes they should be listening to each other, and when they finally do, it's too late. In trying to help others, they have put themselves in deadly danger.