Amantha le Pard, a young wizardess from London, transfers to the Sazerac School of Magick in New Orleans to be with her cousin Madelaine, who had been abducted by a wizardly serial kidnapper. Amantha encounters a rich, multicultural magick community with black, Creole, and Cajun influences, swamp monsters, and rival students from a gothic punk magick academy.

A reign of terror grips the Sazerac. Hapless young wizards from prominent magickal families are being 'taken' and held for ransom. Where will the Whispering Mage strike next? Special Agent Malcombe Portière of the BSCI has a secret plan to defeat the evil menace - but can it work in time? And what can a young girl like Amantha possibly do to help?