Residents of Oldminster are horrified by the arrival of the city's first lady vicar, Reverend Stacey Williams. No sooner does she step foot in the ancient church that trouble begins . . .

First there are violent protests. Next are several threatening letters. Then the font where Williams is meant to hold her first baptism is discovered filled with blood.

Finally, a few weeks later, whilst performing Holy Communion, Reverend Williams keels over after taking a sip of the holy wine. The chalice clangs onto the altar steps as she lands, like a rag doll, onto the sanctuary floor.

Oldminster's first female vicar is dead, most likely poisoned by her own wine!

Suspicion immediately falls onto the many townsfolk who were so outraged by Williams' arrival. But could one of them really be capable of cold-blooded murder?

The devil is at play, and it's up to Detectives French and Edwards to uncover the truth.