While preparing for a summer theater production in St. Andrews, Liz Austen becomes entangled in a local mystery involving arson and a persistent werewolf legend. Liz and her friend Makiko navigate the social tensions of a town facing a pivotal vote on its future while simultaneously attempting to uncover the secrets of a mysterious island mansion. The narrative, presented through a classic mystery framework, forces the protagonists to balance their personal growth with the investigation of events that threaten the town's historical character. They must rely on their own resourcefulness to distinguish between local folklore and the tangible dangers hidden beneath the surface of the community.

This work is recognized as a staple of Canadian young adult mystery literature, often noted for its accessible prose and engaging regional setting. The narrative structure effectively utilizes the classic detective trope of amateur sleuths uncovering corruption within a seemingly quiet town. Readers often highlight the balance between the lighthearted elements of the theater production and the darker, more suspenseful investigation into the arson cases. The book remains a notable entry in the Liz Austen series, valued for its ability to weave local history and legend into a contemporary mystery format.