The books starts off with a huge sink hole that forms in the Ocala National Forest, one that is so deep, more than a mile down, that it briefly opens a doorway of a pre-historic world, to our world, allowing a predator to escape into our world. Paleontologist James King, who is sent to the crater, finds a discovery that will change the world of paleontology forever as the death toll mounts as attacks take place first from the Croaker Hole, then Sunset Landing to Willow Cove all on the St. Johns River. Along with Dr. King, Dr. Saddler joins the team, bringing the sensitive GSAN data and technology which in turn is being sought by a secret military government research facility from deep inside a Georgia mountain. Mr. Robards, an eccentric fossil collector, offers an outrageous reward for the capture of the prehistoric predator which is blatantly monopolized by the press and a greedy general who will stop at nothing to collect the reward. Major Holt, (an aid and second in command with General Rhodes of the government research facility referred to as the W.A.R.), assists the group with a special weapon stemming from Dr. Saddler