[3] The book and series are about the power struggles in a magical dystopia centered in London, England featuring a mixture of modern and ancient, secular and mythological themes.

Together they embark on a quest to discover the secret behind the commoners' resistance to magic and the mysterious beast that is stalking the city of London.

The beast is revealed to be an invulnerable clay golem created by a coterie of magicians in an attempt to discredit and undermine the government.

Two years after the events of the first novel, Nathaniel (alias John Mandrake) serves in London’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, working to eliminate the anti-magician Resistance.

Convinced to help undermine magicians and their unjust rule, Kitty joins the Resistance, carrying out minor attacks and thefts.

During a nighttime heist, she witnesses an enormous creature march through a street of magician-owned businesses, leaving massive damage in its wake and several Night Police officers dead.

Chief of police Henry Duvall insists that the Resistance are responsible, and lobbies the Prime Minister for expanded powers.

Mr. Pennyfeather organizes a final daring raid on the tomb of William Gladstone, but inadvertently releases Honorius, a powerful afrit.

Nathaniel promises Kavka, whose children are being held in a British prison, that his family will be freed if he helps unmask the traitor.

A bearded mercenary – whom Nathaniel and Bartimaeus faced before – arrives, demanding the enchanted parchment to animate the golem.

Released by the Prime Minister, Nathaniel brings Jakob to Kitty and offers freedom in exchange for Gladstone’s staff.

Jakob leaves the country, but Kitty stays to study the history of magic, in search of an end to the cycle of tyranny.