AMY CROSS

As Makepeace Town continues to grow, the Crayne family work on their home, which is slowly becoming one of the most respectable in the entire settlement. And then, on a cold morning, the peace is shattered by the arrival of an infamous witch hunter named Nykolas Pyke.

Determined to root out witchcraft wherever he might find it, Pyke is already convinced that Makepeace Town has been infected. He and his assistant have been traveling in the area, and they've heard tales about strange occurrences in the bay. And while the locals might wish to forget the tragic tales that marked the foundation of their home, Pyke is determined to drag the truth from them all.

For Magdalen Crayne, Pyke's arrival is particularly unfortunate. She and a friend have already been accused of unnatural practices, and now they find their every move scrutinized. Torn between the need to stay alive and the urge to discover the truth about the forest surrounding the town, Magdalen quickly finds herself watched by Pyke and his assistant.

Pyke is determined to make sure that at least one witch dies before he leaves town. But does he really believe in the lessons he preaches? And what will happen when he comes face to face with the darkness that lurks in the shadows of Crayne House?