1679, England: Fear of conspiracy and religious terrorism have provoked panic in politicians and a zealous reaction from the legal system. Everywhere - or so it is feared -Catholic agents are plotting to overthrow the King. Samuel Pepys, Secretary of the Admiralty, finds himself charged with treason and facing a show trial and execution. Imprisoned in the Tower of London, Pepys sets to work investigating his mysterious accuser, Colonel John Scott, and uncovers a life riddled with ambition, forgery, treason and - ultimately - murder.

Using rare access to Pepys' account of the affair, James Long and Ben Long brilliantly evoke a turbulent period in England's history --- and tell the forgotten story of the two most dangerous years in the life of the legendary diarist.