A chaotic, sprawling narrative unfolds in the town of Ashford, where the past and present collide through the unsettling influence of a mysterious, possibly supernatural, jester figure. The story follows a disparate cast of characters—including a local historian, a performance artist, and a troubled family—as they navigate the psychological and physical decay of their environment. As the boundaries between history and reality blur, the characters are forced to confront the lingering ghosts of the medieval era that seem to permeate their modern lives. The narrative employs a fragmented, polyphonic structure that mirrors the disorientation of its subjects, shifting perspectives to capture the cacophony of a town losing its grip on logic.

Darkmans is widely recognized for its ambitious scale and its relentless, disorienting prose style. Critics often point to the novel's ability to capture the chaotic energy of contemporary life while simultaneously grounding it in a deep, historical malaise. The work is frequently cited for its challenging structure, which demands significant engagement from the reader to piece together the overlapping narratives. It remains a significant example of Barker's commitment to exploring the darker, more irrational corners of the human experience through a distinctly British lens.