It chronicles the adventures of two children, Cass and Max-Ernest, as they investigate the mysterious death of local magician Pietro Bergamo.

That day, while she investigates a dead rat in her schoolyard, she meets "Max-Ernest", who talks too much, loves jokes, and has divorced parents.

Cass solves the riddle on the way to school the next day, discovering that the magician's story is written underneath the double-layered pages of the journal.

She and Max-Ernest read the story and discover that the magician, Pietro Bergamo, had a brother, Luciano, who was stolen by a blonde woman with a voice like ice when they were children.

Cass suspects that the Golden Lady is Ms. Mauvais, but Max-Ernest points out that this is impossible, as the story took place at a time before she could have been born.

Cass believes it was Dr. L and Ms. Mauvais who took the boy, having seen them inquiring about Benjamin's art earlier at her school and seeing them leave in a limousine printed with the words, "Midnight Sun Sensorium and Spa".

Ms. Mauvais demands to be given the magician's journal, and in the commotion that takes place, her glove is ripped off, revealing an ancient-looking hand.

Cass and Max-Ernest realize that all of the Midnight Sun members are extremely old, as they are alchemists on a search for the Secret, which they believe will give them immortality.

They distract Dr. L by using vials from the Symphony of Smells to spell out the word "HELP", convincing Dr. L that Pietro has come for him.

She is a self-proclaimed survivalist and prides herself on her extensive knowledge of various disasters as well as her ubiquitous backpack, which she fills with survival gear.

His parents went through their version of a "divorce" shortly after his birth because they couldn't decide whether to name him Max or Ernest.

Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L, the antagonists of the novel, are members of the Midnight Sun, a society devoted to finding the Secret in the hopes of gaining eternal life.

Ms. Mauvais's attributes resemble those of a Barbie doll: big eyes, a tiny waist, stylish blonde hair, and gold jewelry.

Ms. Mauvais and Dr. L are much older than they look; they wear long gloves to hide their wrinkled skin, which only appears on their hands.

However, he is revealed to be a spy for the Terces society who helps Cass and Max-Ernest escape the Midnight Sun with Benjamin Blake.

Amber is Cass's classmate, often called the nicest girl in school and third prettiest; however, she is often shown to be snooty and gossipy.