It's early in the 13th century and the Church is under attack. On the Continent and in England Dominican Inquisitors are seeking out heretics. Scarred by memories of the Inquisition's power, Edric Bigge decides to leave his home in Aldinoch and travel to France where he will paint beautiful murals on its great cathedrals. Just as he settle into a life that promises happiness, he finds himself up against his old foe, Bishop Hugo, who's been called to Paris to try a young noble woman for heresy. After months in the dungeon beneath l'Eglise du Notre Dame des Pauvres, Isabella du Forez is too weak and disheartened to hope for freedom. Her attempt to escape a forced marriage and create a life of her own has ended in disaster. Now her only goal is to find a way to die before she faces the Inquisition's flames. But once he learns of her fate, Edric refuses to abandon Isabella to a Church that has strayed so far from the teachings of Christ. In "The Hounds of God" Church politics, society's restrictions on the lives of women and the power of art collide. But is there really a way Edric and his allies can save Isabella? And will Edric succeed at preventing Bishop Hugo from visiting his fatal powers on others ever again.