Following an unnamed tragedy, three precocious troublemakers—Topher Bill and his roommates, Zorn Giftwad and Kenneth “Gertrude” Hughes (so named for a childhood fascination with The Lost Generation and Gertrude Stein)—are sent to a private school for the troubled children of the wealthy.  They have not been enrolled long when they discover a mutilated body on the athletic fields.  After they’re caught and mysteriously released by the school’s groundskeeper, Mr. Floyd, they decide to investigate ... more »

Following an unnamed tragedy, three precocious troublemakers—Topher Bill and his roommates, Zorn Giftwad and Kenneth “Gertrude” Hughes (so named for a childhood fascination with The Lost Generation and Gertrude Stein)—are sent to a private school for the troubled children of the wealthy.  They have not been enrolled long when they discover a mutilated body on the athletic fields.  After they’re caught and mysteriously released by the school’s groundskeeper, Mr. Floyd, they decide to investigate the murder.  Their earnest efforts to uncover the mystery leads only to stranger and stranger events, all of which provide more distraction than revelation. 

In an attempt to catch the murderers, the boys launch a failed campaign into surrounding Chainwrought Woods.  Soon the bodies begin to pile up, and the boys sink deeper and deeper into their own pursuits and interests, some of which, while bizarre, help them understand the supernatural nature of the threat they investigate.  It becomes clear, however, that the menace from the woods is growing more powerful . . . .  Less