Something evil is lurking in the Pinelands. The lakes and springs are drying up, and scores of animals are falling ill with a mysterious disease. Roused by the possibility of a real catastrophe, LeRoy Thadeus-the alligator judge of all the swamp and streams-and an unlikely band of compatriots leave the safety of their homes and dens to investigate. It is a perilous journey for Judge LeRoy, his raccoon bailiff Bullbore, Javier Ortiz the marsh rabbit, Bobby Lee the bobcat, and an osprey messenger called Screech, as they travel along forgotten paths through wildfires and strange countries to reach the fabled headwaters of the Pinelands. The echoes of an ancient war are heard when the animals discover a threat that is determined to settle an old score. Danger lurks around every turn, and the lives of free animals everywhere hang in the balance as Judge LeRoy and his companions unite to save their world from destruction. "An engrossing world stocked with vivid characters ... and an often frightening realism ... with an environmentalist bite." -Kirkus Discoveries