The Rich Girl, the Huntress, the Sailor, the Thief: a Tangle of Traitors, a Lifetime of Grief--A gruesome new series from the bestselling author of The Black Book of Secrets! In the twisted town of Degringolade, the famous tar pits bubble and spew forth the bones of hanged traitors, murderers and brigands, left there to rot for their crimes. The shores of the pits are lined with the lurid wraiths of these wretched souls, as vile and evil in death as they were in life. It is said that when the moon is at its apogee the Lurids will break free of their tarry shackles and satisfy their bloodlust once more. Into this dark and dismal place comes Victor - a boy to whom everything is free for the taking. To him the people of Degringolade seem stupid and rich and ripe for robbing . But Victor is unaware that his thievery will have consequences beyond his wildest nightmares. With the help of a band of ne'er-do-well orphans, Victor must fight for his life, and something far more valuable.