A superbly puzzling Inspector Morse novel. Recovering in hospital, Inspector Morse comes across an account of a murder and trial that took place 140 years ago. Convinced that the men who were hanged were innocent, he directs his re-investigation from his bedside. Puzzled by strange and contradictory facts, he is convinced he is right, but it is only when he is discharged that he can prove his point, with an audacious and brilliant act of detection.