An ancient, primordial entity is unearthed in the English countryside, unleashing a cycle of visceral violence upon the modern world. The protagonist must confront a force that predates human civilization, a creature of raw, unbridled malice that defies conventional understanding. As the entity terrorizes the local population, the narrative explores the collision between contemporary reality and archaic, forgotten terrors. The story utilizes a third-person perspective to track the creature's path of destruction and the desperate attempts of those caught in its wake to survive.

This work is widely recognized as a quintessential example of Barker's early contribution to the horror genre, showcasing his ability to blend mythic terror with grounded, gritty settings. Readers often highlight the effectiveness of the creature design, noting how the visual elements provided by Les Edwards amplify the unsettling nature of the prose. The inclusion of additional stories within the volume is frequently cited as a value-add that provides a broader look at the author's thematic preoccupations. The collection is generally regarded as a significant artifact for fans of dark fantasy who appreciate the intersection of literary horror and visual storytelling.