The Emissary takes place during World War Two and spans several generations. It is a supernatural thriller/mystery with a spiritual message. Mature themes give the novel an edge as the characters struggle with fear, pain and doubt as they become ever more enchanted with what evil has to offer.

The village of Newcombe in southwestern Ontario receives a visit from Tony Charelle, an emissary from Satan. His mission is to capture the soul of its minister, the Reverend Robert Whitehead. Charelle's visit, however, has a second purpose initially unknown even to Charelle.

Smoothly ingratiating himself into village affairs, he soon becomes accepted as one of the villagers. When unexplained events begin happening, he plays the innocent and is not suspected as being the source of their misery.

Seemingly minor events in Newcombe have far-reaching consequences decades later causing the breakdown of societies and cultures around the world.