When fire destroys their London theatre, Lord Westfield's players must
seek out humbler venues in the countryside. But company manager Nicholas
Bracewell is distracted by a shocking tragedy: a mysterious messenger
from his native Devon is murdered by poison. Though the messenger is
silenced, Nicholas understands what he must do: return to his birthplace
and reconcile some unfinished business of the past.
The rest of Westfield's Men, penniless and dejected, ride forth with him
on a nightmare tour that will perhaps become their valedictory, dogged
as they are by plague, poverty, rogues, and thieves. And among the
sinister shadows that glide silently with them toward Devon is one who
means Nicholas never to arrive . . .