The narrative, inspired by the author's hometown in Providence, Rhode Island, unfolds in the city's west side, specifically the Italian and immigrant district. Our protagonist, Robert Blake - an individual with a fascination for the occult - becomes intrigued by a dilapidated church situated on Federal Hill within this area. Upon investigation, he discovers that the structure has been associated with a notorious cult known as the Church of Starry Wisdom and is widely feared by locals due to its haunted reputation.