Brilliant Francis Bacon is at a loss — and in danger. Bacon must put down his books and investigate the murder of a fellow barrister at Gray’s Inn in order to regain the queen’s favor. He recruits his unwanted protégé, Thomas Clarady, to do the tiresome legwork. The son of a wealthy privateer, Tom will gladly do anything to climb the Elizabethan social ladder. The first clues point to a Catholic conspirator, but other motives for murder quickly emerge. Rival barristers contend for the victim’s legal honors and wealthy clients. Highly-placed courtiers are implicated as the investigation reaches from Whitehall to the London streets. Bacon does the thinking; Clarady does the fencing. Everyone has something up his pinked and padded sleeve. Even Bacon is at a loss — and in danger — until he sees through the disguises of the season of Misrule. One of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Indie Books of 2014. Don’t dally: jump right into the first book in this award-winning mystery series!