Jon Tom's mentor, one of the greatest wizards ever, as well as an aging turtle, is very ill and needs a special medicine to cure him, one which is located in a magical shop across the sea in a town that is avoided by most folk for a large variety of reasons. Accompanied by Mudge, his best friend and an otter, plus three others whom he meets on his trip, he encounters one daunting adventure after another in his quest for the special medicine. All is not as it seems - which we should be very grateful for as it gives us a most enjoyable read.