To the horror of young gravedigger Ned, bodysnatchers have been visiting his churchyard in the dead of night. Until now, he'd been daydreaming about another visitor - Obedience Wellrest, daughter of the manor. Meanwhile, 16-year-old Obedience has troubles of her own: her loving but overbearing father, and his wish to see her married to Phineas Mordaunt, a rich man of science. But when Mordaunt starts to poke his nose into her family history - in particular, the ruinous research of her late Uncle Herbert - Obedience enters into a dangerous game of death, and Ned might be the only person who can save her . . .
