When Charles Dexter Ward, a young man from Rhode Island, goes missing from an insane asylum, his family Doctor, Marinus Bicknell Willett, investigates. During his inquiries, Willett comes across references to Ward's ancestor, Joseph Curwen, an early eighteenth century alchemist, and as the mystery surrounding Charles and his ancestor deepen, Willett stumbles upon the horrifying truth about Charles Dexter Ward.

H.P. Lovecraft's stories about the cosmic entities known as "The Great Old Ones" served as the basis for what is now called "The Cthulhu Mythos," a universe created by Lovecraft and subsequent writers—most famously Lovecraft's publisher August Derleth—that centered around the horror of "The Great Old Ones." The Cthulhu Mythos has become influential in popular culture and has inspired numerous books, comics, films, and games. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward is the first mention of the "Great Old One" Yog-Sothoth.

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