London, 1593. An anonymous ballad calls for violence. The mayor offers 100 crowns for the author's name. Thomas Clarady wants that money and drags Francis Bacon in to help.

Then the authorities turn on two popular playmakers. One is tortured. Another is killed in a brawl. The official story seems plausible, but Tom doesn't buy it. He refuses stop digging, uncovering a plot best left buried.

Bacon and his team must hazard their lives to find the truth. Whether justice can be obtained is another matter.