Lydia Smith's life is difficult. She works at a tacky, third-rate museum, Shrimpton's House of Ancient Horrors, tries to save her career in para-archaeology, and dates the most dangerous man in town. Just when she thinks she can take control of the situation, she trips over a dead body and discovers that her lover has a secret past that could get him killed. To top it all off, underground, in eerie in the glowing green passages of the Dead City, trouble is brewing, and the energetic pet cannon Mokhnatik has a couple of surprises up his nondescript, fluffy sleeve. Of course, all these problems pale in comparison to the most pressing one: Lydia has been invited to the Renaissance Ball, and she has nothing to wear .