The tulip craze of 17th century Holland has a dark side! Cornelius van Baerle, a wealthy but naïve tulip grower, finds himself entangled in the deadly politics of his time. Cornelius' one desire is to grow the perfect black tulip. But, after his godfather is murdered, he finds himself in prison, facing a death sentence.

His jailer's lovely daughter holds the key to his survival and his chance to produce the precious black blossom. Yet he has one more enemy to contend with!