Sticks and stones might break bones, but poison ends any argument Ibram Ucalegon visits fabric merchant Einar Savoldyn's manor to escape the living mountain while Lady Azadiya (the Empire of Vissilia's worst convalescent) recovers from a spot of alchemically induced blindness. Unfortunately for the agent, the man dies moments after their meeting. Now Ibram's got a murder to unravel, a parcel of rival relatives to sort through, and an uncle who blocks his every attempt to tell Lady Azadiya what's going on...and who's a little too friendly with the newly made widow. He'll have to work fast before this case gets stitched up!