Ever since Ludwig was a boy he had been experiencing something strange in his home in Augsburg, Germany. But that was hardly surprising to many, because Ludwig's grandfather had been the local eccentric.

But one day, his grandfather's experiments got out of hand and the whole house was gripped by some incredibly strong external force—and Ludwig only just survived to tell the tale.

Many years later, when David Howard arrives at Laxham Rectory (where Ludwig's grandfather had spent his childhood) to take up his new post as curate, he is immediately aware of the strange sensations that fill the building. The village is rife with rumours of the light that seems to emanate from the rectory and even the vicar, not to mention his wife and daughter, are unusually tense and expectant. And when, for no apparent reason, a wall of the rectory collapses, leaving a single brick suspended in mid-air, everybody realises that the power surrounding them is of no earthly origin.

But David Howard is sure that is only the beginning.