The novel revolves around the exploits of Jack Dresden, an eminent Doctor of history at Winstonian University. Six years ago his father, a Professor of history at Manchester University, disappeared while investigating the folklore around the legendary black dog of the Isle of Man; the Moddey Dhoo. Now six years on there have been several sightings of the Moddey Dhoo on the Isle of Man and under the pretence of historical research, Jack has put together a team (Dr Claire Prentice and three students all in their final year of University; Peter Frost, Alan Davidson and Rhianna Trebandt) who will travel to the Island and spend time interviewing the witnesses to the sightings. However, the underlying reason for Jack wanting to come to the Isle of Man again is to investigate his father's disappearance. As soon as the team arrive on the Island they enter a world of folklore and suspicion; unsure of who to trust. The sightings lead them into a world controlled by a witch's coven. Needless to say, Jack uncovers more than he should as he discovers his father's true fate.