The Ness - 600. A time and a place of peace, where anger and war have been unheard of for many years. Until the black dogs arrive, spreading discord and ultimately doom . . .
But that is many years ago. Simon is completely unaware of his link to this far-away time when he comes to live with Mrs Prend, an old lady who spends her time obsessively translating an old, battered book. Until one day the book is stolen, and strange black dogs appear howling in the garden. Helped and also thwarted by some very maverick magic, Simon learns about his links to a past time and the very special part he has to play now . . .
