15th century Oakham, in Somerset; a tiny village cut off by a big river with no bridge. When a man is swept away by the river in the early hours of Shrove Saturday, an explanation has to be found: accident, suicide or murder? The village priest, John Reve, is privy to many secrets in his role as confessor. But will he be able to unravel what happened to the victim, Thomas Newman, the wealthiest, most capable and industrious man in the village? And what will happen if he cant?

Moving back in time towards the moment of Thomas Newmans death, the story is related by Reve an extraordinary creation, a patient shepherd to his wayward flock, and a man with secrets of his own to keep. Through his eyes, and his indelible voice, Harvey creates a medieval world entirely tangible in its immediacy.

Samantha Harveyis the author ofThe Wilderness,All Is SongandDear Thief.She appeared on the longlists for the Baileys Prize and the Man Booker, and the shortlists of the James Tait Black Award, the Orange Prize, and the Guardian First Book Award.The Wildernesswon the Betty Trask Award in 2009. She is a tutor on the MA course in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University.