London, 1967. In an England where the Protestant Reformation failed, and in which magic is an integral part of the mighty Catholic Church's armoury, there are plenty of opportunities for a talented young necromancer like Tobias Oakley. From his early initiation into the dark arts by an elvish witch, he progresses steadily into a career as a Church magician.

In such an exalted position, Tobias finds not only the power he craves, but also the time to indulge in other, secret, and more satisfying, pursuits - such as drug-running, debauchery, demonology - and murder.