In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter. After fifty years of quiet, it was rumoured that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. She had threatened the King's young daughter and had killed the Wizard Suliman, who had been sent to deal with her. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the witch. The castle, whoever, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls. The Hatter sisters -- Sophie, Lettie and Martha -- and all the other girls are warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.