St. Petersburg, 1860. After a member of the imperial family is assassinated, writer Fyodor Dostoevsky is reached by a young man institutionalized in a mental asylum — who confesses taking part in the terrorist plot and reveals that his fellow conspirators are planning to kill another of the Tsar's relatives. The man gives Dostoevsky the address of Alexandra, their leader. Dostoevsky must find her and convince her to call off the attack.