It is said that we fear that which we do not understand. That we cloak those fears with doubt, and that over time, they become fairy tales and nightmares. But what would happen if our fears became a reality? And so it came to pass. ~~~~ For some speak in hushed tones of the dark ones. They say they wait and watch from the shadows. DCI Crawford knew the truth, for he had faced those very demons and survived. Now only months away from retirement, he is assigned one last case. A series of strange and inexplicable murders. And as the killer weaves a trail of deception, an old adversary returns to orchestrate a new reign of terror from the shadows.