This is the fifth book in the Wardstone Chronicles, following the life of Tom as the apprentice of the Spook, an old man who helps defend the county from evil. The book is scary and shouldn't be read by anyone under the age of eight. It is a good book though, with a well thought out plot and imaginative writing that captures the mind. The story is that Tom is sent to the spook's former apprentice, Bill Arkwright, now a spook, to complete six months severe training. during this training Tom is wounded, and gains a few bruises. But all this comes in use when he and Bill find a rouge press-gang terrorizing a local village, of which they take care of. One problem is solved, but another awaits. The Fiend has entered the world in the book before this one, and he sends his daughter, a powerful water witch, to get rid of them. The Fiend tries to persuade Tom that Alice, his friend and former witch, was his own daughter. Tom doesn't believe it, but is anxious as Alice begins to send messages the witch way, and protect him in a way only a witch would think of. The water witch sent to destroy him, can mesmerize anyone with her Red Eye, and so Tom has to be very careful. There could be enemies round every corner, even within his friends. So who can he put his trust in? The book is hardback and has four hundred and sixty two pages.