It is the summer of 1868, and Sherlock Holmes is fourteen. On break fron boarding school, he is staying with relatives in the country and expecting a tedious vacation. Instead, he finds himself in the midst of a shocking murder mystery when two local men die from symptoms resembling the plague. When it becomes clear they have not died from natural causes, Holmes begins to investigate - and uncovers a diabolical plot. So begins his first battle of wits against a brilliantly sinister villain of viciously malign intent.