When a dog unearths a body from a shallow grave in the Sallow Grove, Banyard and Mingle set out to discover who is killing Silkers and burying them there. Before long the body count has risen to seven, all important men who have gone missing from the city around the 17th of each month. With the 17th of Elventide approaching, can Banyard and Mingle prevent another murder? And in the face of increasing political pressure to close the case, can they make sure the right person is apprehended?