In 1348, the inhabitants of Cambridge live under the shadow of a terrible pestilence that has ravaged Europe and is travelling relentlessly towards England. But Matthew Bartholomew, physician and teacher, is distracted by the sudden and inexplicable death of the Master of Michaelhouse - a death the University authorities do not want investigated. And when three more scholars die in mysterious circumstances, Bartholomew defies the University and begins his own enquiry.