When Johnny Dixon's friend Fergie steals a peculiar little book from the library, he has no idea that it is enchanted. Soon, Fergie's under the spell of Jermyn Thanatos, an evil sorcerer who'll stop at nothing to achieve eternal life. As Fergie falls deeper and deeper into a horrifying trance, he jeopardizes not only his own life but the lives of his friends. Can Johnny and Professor Childermass save Fergie...or will they all perish?