London, 1590: Queen Elizabeth I's control over her kingdom is wavering.
Amidst a tumultuous backdrop of Spanish plotters, Catholic heretics and
foreign wars threatening the country's fragile stability, the body of a
small boy is found in the City of London, with strange marks that no one
can explain. When idealistic physician Nicholas Shelby finds another
body displaying the same marks only days later, he becomes convinced
that a killer is at work, preying on the weak and destitute of London.
Determined to find out who is behind these terrible murders, Nicholas is
joined in his investigations by Bianca, a mysterious tavern keeper. As
more bodies are discovered, the pair find themselves caught in the
middle of a sinister plot. With the killer still at large, and Bianca in
terrible danger, Nicholas's choice seems impossible--to save Bianca, or
save himself.