In Florence, at the end of the fifteenth century, the friar Girolamo Savonarola preached against corruption and the luxuries which tempted people into sin. His tirades led to the Bonfires of the Vanities, which incinerated books, clothing, playing cards, musical instruments, make-up, mirrors, paintings, tapestries and sculptures. The ruling Medici family was deposed, and for a brief time Savonarola led the city. Denise Mina brings a modern take to this story - drawing parallels between the febrile atmosphere of medieval Florence and the culture wars of the present day.