Lord Amerotke, Pharaoh's chief judge, is already in the middle of a murder case. A young, ambitious scribe, Ipumer, allegedly in love with the daughter of a powerful general, had hoped to become betrothed. Instead he is dead from poisoning and the prosecution has accused Lady Neshratta - apparently tired of the dalliance - of the crime. Lady Neshratta, if found guilty will be buried alive in the desert of the Red Lands.
When Amerotke is summoned to the Temple of Seth by Lord Senenmut, it seems that there is another grave murder to investigate. One of Egypt's great heroes has been brutally killed and Pharaoh Hatusu herself has decided to intervene. She believes that General Balet's murder is only the beginning and she calls on Judge Amerotke for help. There is more to link the deaths than originally meets the eye - but can Amerotke track down the killer before he strikes again?