Morse finds himself the subject of a murder investigation when his friend, Beryl Newsome, is murdered at a rehearsal of the Magic Flute and he foolishly touches the murder weapon. Morse is suspended and DCI Bottomley, with DS Lewis assisting him, is put in charge of the case. Morse feels that he was set-up and looks to his past to see who, among the many criminals he arrested, might now be setting about seeking revenge. When someone scratches masonic symbols all over his car and he is reported for erratic driving, Morse wonders if Masons may somehow be involved. When a large number of his personal items are found in Beryl's apartment, Morse is placed under arrest.。然而没等人们把自己的惊讶之音发出来，一道接一道的诏书与密令又从皇宫里飞出，耀花了所有人的眼睛：升任去年召回老将张浚为枢密使，委任前年采石矶大胜金军的虞允文为川陕宣谕使……十五元夕，诛杀殿前司后军阴谋反……