The discovery of a tooth linked to a young Edgar Allan Poe sparks Oliver Gooch's venture into the world of the occult. Transforming an old church into a unique bookshop, he curates a collection of strange and esoteric titles, showcasing the tooth as a centerpiece of intrigue. The story intertwines themes of literary history and the supernatural, inviting readers into a realm where the past and the mysterious converge.
The story unfolds as Christopher Beal takes a job as a live-in tutor for the enigmatic Lawrence Lundy, who engages in peculiar rituals and is haunted by his deceased father. Isolated by his mother, Juliet, Lawrence's world is shrouded in mystery and tension. As Christopher navigates the oppressive atmosphere of the old house during a sweltering summer, he becomes embroiled in the family's dark secrets, racing against time to uncover the truth before it leads to tragedy.
On his eighteenth birthday, David Kewish faces an unexpected turn of events after a severe injury leads to the arrival of a baby black-backed gull. This peculiar gift coincides with a string of violent incidents and deaths in his seaside town. As the community grapples with these tragedies, suspicion falls on David due to his unusual bond with the gull, raising questions about his involvement in the unfolding chaos. The story explores themes of fate, blame, and the consequences of seemingly innocuous events.