Lucy Hart has come a long way since feeling the cold neglect of her parents, whose attention always centered around her chronically ill sister's needs. Now a teacher's aide, Lucy is able to share her love of books with her students: in particular, a seven-year-old orphan named Christopher. The Clock Island books were Lucy's passion and refuge as a child, and now she shares them with Christopher, who's become as big of a fan as she ever was. Then Lucy is one of four diehard Clock Island fans who receive the invitation of a lifetime: to stay on Jack Masterson's private island and compete for the un-published manuscript of the final book in the series. Lucy must contend with opportunists, cheaters, and Jack's illustrator and companion on the island, Hugo Reese. All the while, the master of ceremonies, the prolific author himself, has his own secrets to keep--and a larger plan in the works that will change everything for all of them.