Includes bibliographical references.

The Black Death has come to London, spreading disease and fear through town. A mysterious prophet predicts the city's ultimate doom--until an unknown apothecary arrives with a cure that actually works. Christopher's Blackthorn shop is chosen to prepare the remedy. But when an assassin threatens the apothecary's life, Christopher and his faithful friend, Tom, are back to hunting down the truth, risking their lives to untangle the heart of a dark conspiracy. And as the sickness strikes close to home, the stakes are higher than ever before.