Goldie Roth is a trained thief and a skillful liar. She's supposed to be one of the Keepers of the mysterious Museum of Dunt, along with her friend Toadspit. But although she desperately wants to be a Keeper, her parents are ill and she will not leave them. Then Toadspit's sister Bonnie is kidnapped, and Goldie is forced into action. She and Toadspit follow the child-stealers to the neighboring city of Spoke. Along the way, Toadspit is also captured, and Goldie is caught up in the Festival of Lies, where every word she says means something else and no one can be trusted. As the festival builds to its climax, Goldie discovers some dangerous secrets -- secrets that the child-stealers will kill to protect. She will need all her skills as thief and liar if she is to survive and save her friends. And survive she must. Because the treacherous Fugleman has returned to Jewel, and the city will soon need the Fifth Keeper more than ever.