There were many ways to die on a journey like this…

Once-close brothers, Fulk and Odo, now find themselves on very different paths - separated by past tragedies and Odo's growing religious fanaticism. While Odo descends into ruthless zealotry, believing himself God's chosen leader and abusing his stolen wife Sybille, Fulk struggles to hold onto his humanity amid the carnage of war.

But the fractured pilgrim army must continue their Holy crusade, marching from the triumphant siege of Nicaea to the towering, commanding walls of Jerusalem. The journey is hard and full of peril – and some dangers are hiding in plain sight.

Finding unexpected solace in the companionship of the resilient former courtesan Guillemette, Fulk must navigate a treacherous landscape, ravaged by starvation, disease, and the horrors of discontent within their own camp.

But will the conquest of Jerusalem bring these crusaders ultimate redemption and the chance for a new life, or will the gruesome cost of this war damn them all forever?

Praise for Michael Jecks:

'Marvellously portrayed' C. J. Sansom

'Michael Jecks is the master of the medieval whodunnit' Robert Low

'The most wickedly plotted medieval mystery novels' The Times