You think you know Samuel Pepys - writer of diaries, coffee-shoppe frequenter, philandrist of the highest order. But in 1679 he is not yet known for his diaries - they have not yet been written. His wife is still living in blissful ignorance about his affairs. The coffee shoppe bit is still true though. In 1679, Pepys is Secretary to the Admiralty, in charge of the navy, and at the right hand of King Charles. But also in 1679, England is awash with suspicion and fear. The rumours are that Catholic agents are working together on behalf of King James of Scotland to overthrow Charles. And into this maelstrom of distrust, Pepys finds himself at the heart of a conspiracy, charged with treason and facing a crooked trial and potential execution.

The only person who can save him is his brother, Balthazar, and Balthazar's twin children, Betty and Sam - precociously smart and deviously determined - and the three set off on a journey to prove Pepys' innocence that will take them to Norfolk (rife with turnips), France (rife with Catholics) and the high seas (rife with.pirates.). A clever and witty adventure which will make you think about Pepys in an entirely new light.