Jon Mischief is a man who lives up to his surname. He lives in a world of wealth, privilege, greed, corruption, and has ever so recently paid his way to freedom while on trial for the wrongful deaths of seven men. Jon sees himself as the most important person in existence and knows no other kind of lifestyle than the lucrative kind. Getting away from news cameras and the harsh glares of the questioning public should be a well-deserved vacation. Beyond the city limits, however, the night brings with it strange sounds. People have gone missing in the area. The wildlife is acting bizarre, almost possessed. He even believes somebody is lurking in the woods. Jon cannot trust any of his new neighbors for fear they will recognize him and bring the reporters to his door, or that they are the ones responsible for the continuing disturbances. Regardless of Jon's paranoias, a dark presence seems to be lingering around the perimeter of his new property, watching him, taunting him, making him doubt his own eyes and safety. Once again Jon finds himself on trial, but this time neither riches nor a gun can save him.The Bastard is the first in the Lurkers in the Dark series, tales of the unknown and what dangers lie within the shadows.