London, autumn 1880. Dr. John Watson has just returned from Afghanistan and meets Sherlock Holmes, who is investigating a series of deaths in the Shadwell district of London. The victims appearing to have starved to death over the course of several weeks, yet were reported alive and well mere days before. Creeping shadows inspire dread in any who stray too close. Meanwhile, a sinister drug lord is seeking to expand his criminal empire. But there are forces at work far more powerful than they could ever have imagined... forces that can be summoned from another dimension, if one is brave-- or mad-- enough to dare.... -- Exerpted from publisher's description.