Matthew Prior is a writer, drinker and a womaniser living in Elizabethan London; he doesn't care for authority, lives on his wits and often falls foul of those ruling London. At the same time Matthew has a very perceptive mind and a natural curiosity that is often inclined to get him into trouble. Despite his desire to remain anonymous amongst the intrigues and dangers of the times in which he lives, Matthew is forced into the presence of Elizabeth's first minister Lord Burghley and is signed on as one of the spymaster's agents. Matthew sets out to solve a murder and ends up at the very...

Matthew Prior is beginning to make a reputation for himself in the London of Queen Elizabeth and compliments himself on his good business sense - that is until be discovers that his career is being manipulated by the Queen. He is once again dragged away from his beloved plays by the monarch in order to investigate the untimely death of his friend and fellow playwright Christopher Marlowe. As if working for the Queen is not bad enough Matthew is also charged by the Queen's new First Minister, the frightening and dangerous Robert Cecil to discover who has been destroying caches of arms and...