When her widower father inherits a castlelike estate in the mountains of West Virginia, 12-year-old Jen is thrilled.It seems like a wish come true.But she quickly realizes that not all change is positive.Her dad has a mysterious new girlfriend, Moura, who slowly drives a wedge between Jen and her father.Furthermore, Moura has an unusually strong-almost obsessive-interest in the antiques that fill the mansion, especially a beautiful glass globe that Jen finds hanging in a window.When Jen's cat accidentally breaks the globe, which Moura calls a 'witch catcher,' strange things begin to happen....

An odd-looking girl wearing a torn dress appears, seemingly out of nowhere, and Moura's behavior becomes more sinister, leading Jen to believe that her father is a pawn in an evil scheme.Soon Jen finds herself caught in the midst of a supernatural war, with the fate of an enchanted race-and her family-at stake.

Inspired by the age-old legend of witch catchers, Mary Downing Hahn brings a magical cast of characters to life in this compelling fantasy adventure.Author's note.