[1] The book follows Thomas "Tom" Falconer, a young and somewhat naive boy that works at a pub and is mistreated by his caretakers, Sebastian and Henrietta Slope.

This helps draw the attention of wealthy traveler William Hawkins, who attempts to purchase Tom from his caretakers, who refuse.

While rehearsing and preparing for the play, Tom is again attacked by Ratsey and is warned by Mobius's nephew to leave before it's too late.

Tom encourages her to release Mobius's nephew, as he was largely innocent of the crimes against her, and spends the rest of his days acting and living with Shakespeare.

[4] Booklist also gave a positive review, praising Horowitz's attempts to ground the more fictional elements of the story in historical fact.