It's been only a few months since archeologist Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large coal house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus it's skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand?

It's been only a few months since archeologist Ruth Galloway found herself entangled in a missing persons case, barely escaping with her life. But when construction workers demolishing a large coal house in Norwich uncover the bones of a child beneath a doorway—minus it's skull—Ruth is once again called upon to investigate. Is it a Roman-era ritual sacrifice, or is the killer closer at hand? When carbon dating proves the child's bones predate the house and relate to a time when it was privately owned, Ruth is drawn ever more deeply into the case. But as spring turns into summer, it becomes clear that someone is trying very hard to put her off the trail by frightening her, and her unborn child, half to death.