Accompanied by Richard MacDuff, Dirk Gently arrives at St Cedd's College Cambridge where he must find out if Professor 'Reg' Chronotis is the missing link between in a puzzle which began with the murder of Richard's employer Gordon Way.

The mystery has culminated in the arrest and interrogation of an Electric Monk by Detective Sergeant Gilks, whose patience is being tried more than ever by a suspect who is willing to believe anything - including his own guilt - or innocence.

Dirk and Richard confront Professor Chronotis with the evidence gathered so far - and he is happy to confirm that almost everything that has taken place has its roots in a forgotten series questions asked by King George III over 200 years ago - questions which led directly to the creation of his post at Cambridge - and his ability to move freely to places a lot further away and longer ago than the local Chemist's.

In demonstrating this phenomenon Professor Chronotis gives Dirk and Richard a 'Last Chance To See', a creature of poignant ill-fortune. For this reason - and because there are darker forces at work, specifically a dark and ancient force which has frightened him; a spirit that wants to use him to fulfil some long-forgotten purpose, Reg dares not make such journeys any more.

Frustrated, the spirit is looking for someone suitable to its pupose to possess - but whom - and to what purpose?

Meanwhile the spirit that was once Gordon Way has its own problems - specifically an unfinished task. Only when Michael Wenton-Weakes knocks in the Professor's door and the object of possession is revealed to all concerned, does the true nature of what is at stake come clear.