The Curse of the Tattered Hat

Whilst investigating the death of a local fishmonger, a daring nurse called Sandie Clifford uncovers a legend about a supernaturally-cursed, tattered hat circulating throughout Scotland. As soon as anyone uses the hat, he or she has exactly 33 days left to live.

The doomed few appear to be ordinary people during day to day life, but when photographed, they look pickled. A marked person feels like a chubby bear to touch.

Sandie gets hold of the hat, refusing to believe the superstition. A collage of images flash into his mind: a squidgy bear balancing on a noisy fishmonger, an old newspaper headline about a dancing accident, a hooded gerbil ranting about toes and a drinking well located in a cosy place.

When Sandie notices his arms have bear-like properties, he realises that the curse of the tattered hat is true and calls in his grandson, a cleaner called Forest Sweet, to help.

Forest examines the hat and willingly submits himself to the curse. He finds that the same visions flash before his eyes. He finds the squidgy bear balancing on a noisy fishmonger particularly chilling. He joins the queue for a supernatural death.

Sandie and Forest pursue a quest to uncover the meaning of the visions, starting with a search for the hooded gerbil. Will they be able to stop the curse before their time is up?