Father Anselm returns to the Old Bailey to fight the most difficult and troubling case of his life. Father Edmund Littlemore is charged with grave offences against Harry Brandwell who, it seems, is both a victim and a liar. Unknown to Anselm, Robert Sambourne, a journalist, has been investigating Littlemore's background and uncovered a troubled past. Meanwhile Harry Brandwell - abused, abandoned and betrayed - has decided to take matters into his own hands.