This title is one of a series of reading books for children and young adults aged 11 and over who are struggling with reading. "Dark Man" is a fiction series for older children and young adults who have a reading age of approximately 7 to 8. Each book features the character Dark Man, a shadowy, brooding loner who shuns society, living in the shadows.

Recruited to play a part in a secret, cataclysmic struggle between good and evil, his continued mission is to seek out an artefact, a Golden Cup, which can channel limitless power and energy. Opposed to him, and also seeking to find this cup of power, is a sinister and corrupt organisation, The Shadow Masters.The book has a strong plot to engage the reader, however reluctant, and features dark evocative illustrations. The simple, carefully written text (around 1,000 words) focuses on the most common words, providing access for even the poorest readers.

In "The Dark Machine" the Shadow Masters have called a machine from the Realm of Screams. The machine can do much harm. The Dark Man must find the machine before the Shadow Masters can use it.