By the blade, by water, by the fire, by lightning, shall the desecrators perish ... A four-day tournament involving the world's leading golfers is being staged for the opening of Witches' Hill, a new country club created on his East Lothian estate by the Marquis of Kinture and two partners. But, on the Sunday afternoon preceding, one of the partners is found dead in his private Jacuzzi in the clubhouse -- with his throat cut. On the following day an anonymous letter is received by the local newspaper, containing part of a legendary witches' curse upon anyone who desecrates their place of worship. True, East Lothian was once a notorious centre of witchcraft, but Deputy Chief Constable Bob Skinner prefers to deal with the here and now. Is this crime in fact a grudge killing by some business rival? As the tournament draws near, a second murder occurs -- this time by water. And, though he does not credit the paranormal, Skinner is forced to suspect that contemporary black magicians may be at work. His further investigations will lead to dramatic, unexpected and spectacular conclusions.