When Carmel Hennessy begins a new job in North Yorkshire, she finds the historic city of Eborby gripped by fear. A killer is on the prowl leaving his victims in isolated country churchyards. When Carmel becomes aware of a malevolent presence in her new apartment, she turns to DI Joe Plantagenet, a newcomer to the force. As Joe's investigations lead him deeper into the case, he is forced to consider the possibility of occult connections.