Dalian is currently reading a trilogy by the name of "Crown of the Dog Days," but she is enraged with Huey for only ordering the first two books. Huey explains that the author, Lenny Lents, was killed before he could write the last installment, and tells her of a letter written by the late author to his grandfather requesting for his help, claiming to be imprisoned by a bizarre book. They arrive at his estate to find a woman named Paula Lents, claiming to be his wife, washing a bloody machete. She tells them that Lenny is currently writing the last installment in the series, and to return the following day, so they could prepare for their visit. However, as Huey and Dalian inspect her garage later that night, they find the dead body of Lenny Lents. They decide to further investigate the matter, certain a Phantom Book is the cause of the problem.