On her tenth birthday, Meticulous 'Metty' Jones recieves her fate, as all children do, in the form of a magical tattoo on her hand. She hopes that her tattoo will reveal an exciting destiny: travel, discovery or adventure. What appears is a skull in the palm of a violet glove – Metty's fate is to be a murderer. 

When Metty's father disppears in mysterious circumstances, Aunt Magnificent takes her to the glittering city of new London, filled with magic, wonder and enchantment. But when Metty hears rumours of a shadowy organisation known as the Black Moths, she begins to suspect they are connected to her own dark fate ...