n 1805, a small Bohemian Jewish community is making plans for the Purim festival. The children are giddy with excitement about the costumes, parades and silly contests that mark the joyous holiday. But Ezekiel Benzion, who leads the community's defenders, cannot share in the holiday's festivities. He must remain vigilant, waiting for signs of the vicious libel that often emerges with the spring and brings with it mob violence against his people. Suddenly his worst fears are realized. A dead infant is discovered. Whose baby is it? How did it die? Who is to blame? Whispers begin, hinting at...