It is 1612. Maria and Antonio set off to the Frankfurt fair to find a buyer for their wine, and expand their vineyard. They find a buyer, and Maria finds an admirer. When they visit the man preparing their bill of exchange, he and his wife have been strangled. The victims are Jewish, so the mayor isn't interested. They hunt for the killer, as a pogrom explodes. Maria and Manuel fall in love. Manuel is hiding something. Which will prevail, love or hate? There are murders, forensic science, sword fights, romance, witch trials and a pogrom. It all starts with an account book and climate change.