Spring 1810. Young Parson Tobias Campion is excited to be taking over the small Warwickshire parish of Moreton Priory. But his first night in the village brings excitement of the wrong kind when Tobias intervenes in an attempted rape and becomes hero to housemaid Lizzie Woodman. As Tobias settles into life in Morton Priory he finds friendship in the form of Dr. Edmund Hansard and his concern for Lizzie quickly blossoms into something more. But as Jem, Tobias' groom, and local farm boy Matthew compete for Lizzie's attention Tobias resigns himself to the fact that his feeling for the girl will remain unrequited. Soon, however, his mind turns to other matters when the unsettling death of poverty stricken poacher Mr Jenkins, the suspicious demise of local aristocrat Lord Elham and a mysterious attack on Tobias himself make one thing clear; a malign influence is at work in the supposedly sleepy hamlet!

Tobias Campion is happily settled as vicar at Moreton Priory. He finds the new lady living of Moreton Hall a charming and generous spirited member of his parish who is only too willing to help Tobias and his friend Dr. Hansard look after the less fortunate in the community. Lady Chase’s nephew, Marcus Bramhall, however is another kettle of fish. No sooner has he moved his entire family into the Hall, under the pretence of concern for his aunt’s recent widow status, than things start going awry. Miss Southey, the Bramhall family’s ill-treated governess, intrigues Tobias with her secretive ways. When a stranger’s body is found in a river on the estate, Tobias and Hansard suspect foul play. Who is the man? Evidence suggests he has travelled a fair distance but why? When it appears he may have something to do with Lady Chase’s lost son, and then Miss Southey mysteriously disappears, Tobias realizes he and Hansard may have to adopt their sleuthing cloaks once again.

It is Easter Day, and a body hangs crucified on a tree. Unlike the Master whom Tobias serves, it will not rise from the dead. Naked except for a loincloth and a crown of thorns, the victim is unrecognisable, his face bludgeoned to a pulp.