Welcome to the imaginary worlds of award-winning author Anna Castle.

This collection of short stories ranges through time and space from the Yucatán peninsula in the early years of the Spanish conquest (The Broken Circle) to a bank office in late Victorian London (The Stockbroker's Wife.) Most stories feature Francis Bacon and other characters from his milieu. You'll read about Bacon's first case (For Want of a Book) and Tom's first solo investigation (In Walked a Lady.) You'll find out how Trumpet wangled her year at Gray's Inn (Artful Bargains) and what really happened to Captain Valentine Clarady (All Englishmen Look Alike.) Sir Walter's Ralegh and two friends trade ghost stories on a stormy night (Dark Tales from the School of Night.) You'll even travel through time by a most unusual method (The Sneeze.) A bonus story brings you into the present, but not quite the present you're used to (Extinction.)