Whilst investigating the death of a local teacher, a brave doctor called Nadine MacDonald uncovers a legend about a supernaturally-cursed, squidgy rock circulating throughout London. As soon as anyone uses the rock, he or she has exactly 80 days left to live.
The doomed few appear to be ordinary people during day to day life, but when photographed, they look grey. A marked person feels like a scary mouse to touch.
Nadine gets hold of the rock, refusing to believe the superstition. A collage of images flash into her mind: a curvaceous snake balancing on a sensational teacher, an old newspaper headline about a boating accident, a hooded dog ranting about feet and a drinking well located in a beautiful place.
When Nadine notices her fingernails have mouse-like properties, she realises that the curse of the squidgy rock is true and calls in her husband, a shopkeeper called Cameron Fish, to help.
Cameron examines the rock and willingly submits himself to the curse. He finds that the same visions flash before his eyes. He finds the curvaceous snake balancing on a sensational teacher particularly chilling. He joins the queue for a supernatural death.
Nadine and Cameron pursue a quest to uncover the meaning of the visions, starting with a search for the hooded dog. Will they be able to stop the curse before their time is up?