For Thom Kindred, life holds nothing so spectacular. A stroke victim, Thom finds himself partially incapacitated and battling daily to regain control of his life. Moved by haunting dreams of his youth, he travels back to the wooded land where he grew up to recuperate. Surrounded by the comforts of Castle Bracken, Thom plans to relive old, forgotten memories.

But Thom's return has stirred an ancient evil at Castle Bracken, one cloaked in the guise of a friend. His only chance for survival lies in a world that he no longer believes in.

Bestselling author James Herbert opens a door into a place of wonder and terrible danger; where the unexpected becomes the norm, where the separation of between dreams and nightmares is thin, and where "Once upon a time . . ." doesn't always lead to a happy ending.