The last day of school is finally over, and Jonathon Farmer arrives home to discover that his parents have mysteriously disappeared. His only clues to their whereabouts are a large circular hole torn in the side of his house, and a strange device resembling a stopwatch called a finder. With the help of his best friend Samantha Towning, Jonathon must use the finder to locate his reclusive grandfather, Merle Candlestick, to help him find his parents. On their way to Grandpa Candlestick's house, Jonathon and Samantha must escape the pursuit of an evil group called the Dark Ones, intent on capturing Jonathon and stealing the finder. When they reach their journey's end, they find it has only just begun, for Grandpa Candlestick introduces Jonathon to a world of secret councils, strange creatures, and mysterious powers, as they travel around the world, trying to solve the puzzle of his parent's disappearance.