Banff in the 1620s. A man staggering down the street. He appears drunk, but he's been poisoned. The victim, an apothecary's apprentice, is discovered dead in Alexander Seaton's house, a fallen minister whose life lies in tatters after his affair with the Laird's daughter is discovered and he is cast out of the kirk in disgrace.

When his friend is accused of the apprentice's murder, Alexander sets out to solve the crime and clear his friend's name. 
