Sophie's life is falling apart. First, she makes a frightening discovery about her health. Then she learns that her father has been murdered. And finally, she can't find Patrick, the vampire who might be the only one who can help her. Sophie has fallen victim to a Tenderling, a vicious creature that intentionally causes pain and misery so it can feed off its victim's emotions. Manifesting as the ghost of Sophie's father, the Tenderling is determined to push Sophie to the brink of madness. Patrick realises that there is only one way he can save Sophie. But first, he has to confront a figure from his past. Deep within an underground chamber, a man known only as The Lock is the only one who can help. But the price for his assistance might be too great... The Civil Dead is the fourth volume in the Dark Season series. It's a standalone story, so you don't need to have read the previous volumes.