Years go by and the man, James Lester, becomes a well-respected school principal and local hero, leading the village to a brighter future.

But then, only days before Christmas, he is found dead. The crime scene is vile and what is more peculiar, is that James is found with an eerie smile on his dead face. And he is only the first victim.

14-year-old Adeline Greene, whose urge for adventure, unquenchable curiosity and dangerous naivety do her more bad than good, decides to do some investiga...