Returning from Greece, Tom and the Spook find that their home, including the Spook's precious library of knowledge, has been burned to the ground, and that their battle against the denizens of the dark must continue.

Apprentice Tom and the Spook for whom he works flee to Ireland, where a powerful witch has joined forces with the dark mages trying to call forth ancient powers to destroy Tom

Now thirteen years old, Tom Ward continues his apprenticeship with the Spook as they confront a dangerous bane who can control people's thoughts.

Tom Ward is now Spook of the county, and with his apprentice, Jenny, he continues the fight against boggarts, witches and terrifying new creatures of the dark. Along with the witch assassin, Grimalkin, Tom and Jenny lead an army into battle against a dangerous enemy -- but it all goes catastrophically wrong. The situation seems hopeless until Alice, Tom's lost love and a powerful witch, appears. But Alice had turned to the dark: can Tom trust her...