A complex academic rivalry ignites when two professors find their lives inextricably linked to a brilliant graduate student harboring dangerous esoteric knowledge. Maria Theotoki, a scholar of rare manuscripts, becomes the focal point for Professor Simon Darcourt and the enigmatic Paracelsian scholar Francis Cornish. As they navigate the rigid hierarchies of university life, they are drawn into a web of occult history and personal obsession. The narrative employs a sophisticated, multi-layered structure that examines the intersection of intellectual pursuit and the darker impulses of the human spirit. The characters must reconcile their scholarly ambitions with the unpredictable nature of the secrets Maria guards.

Readers frequently highlight the dense, erudite prose that characterizes Davies' writing style. Discussion often centers on the balance between the book's satirical look at academia and its more serious engagement with theological and occult themes. Critics often note the effectiveness of the world-building, which creates a distinct atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and moral ambiguity. Many readers appreciate the depth of character development, particularly regarding the protagonists' internal conflicts. The narrative pacing is often described as deliberate, favoring philosophical inquiry over rapid plot progression.