A grisly murder has taken place in the ruins of an ancient city on the peaceful world of Majipoor and the Pontifex Valentine has arrived to investigate the crime. But as Valentine and his companions delve deeper into the mystery, they discover that these ruins contain secrets much deeper than anyone ever knew. And that the indigenous Metamorphs are holding back information related to their own dark history. Can Valentine and his friends locate the murderer or did the violent act have something to do with a ritual sacrifice related to the fabled Seventh Shrine?