from the back cover: People love and need animals. They keep them in their homes and on their farms. They enjoy going to zoos, and watching animals on films and on TV. Little children love to play with toy animals. But people are a great danger to animals too. They take their land, and cut down the trees where animals have their homes. They pollute the rivers and seas, and kill big animals …
This is Fergus's first trip to the seaside and he is very excited. There is so much fun to be had.
Sent to Groosham Grange by his parents, David Eliot quickly discovers that his new school is a very odd place indeed. New pupils are made to sign their names in blood; the French teacher disappears every full moon; and the assistant headmaster keeps something very chilling in his room.