A harsh winter, and the roof of the Benedictine Abbey of St Peter and St Paul threatens to give way under the weight of snow. Brother Haluin, working on the necessary repairs in treacherous conditions, slips from the roof and sustains such grave injuries that he makes his deathbed confession to the Abbot and Brother Cadfael. But Haluin recovers, and in order to atone for his sins he sets out on an arduous journey of expiation, with Cadfael as his sole companion. It is a journey which leads to some shocking revelations, and eventually to murder ...
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