In this, number five in the Pastmaster series -- the last book at this point -- Alex finds himself caught up in the American Civil War. Through a mysterious turn of events, Molly is also drawn back to the same time period. Why? Alex's father, last seen in the first book of the series, comes back into his life. By the end of the book, Molly tells Alex what he must do to his father if he is to save their family: kill him.