The ancient city of Morchester with its Dreaming Spires, its gently flowing river Orr, winding through water meadows, its fine old cathedral and close where the rooks caw in immemorial elms as they have done for centuries... A tranquil English scene - but is it? Under the surface dark and terrible things are stirring. A serial killer is on the loose... The Dean is having guilty nightmares... A long dead Bishop of Morchester appears in his choir stall at evensong... A mysterious ring disappears from the cathedral museum... A famous composer is beginning his long descent into Hell...