Fleeing an overpowering husband, the memory of their daughter killed in an accident and a mental breakdown, Julia impulsively buys a neo-Georgian house in Kensington, hoping for peace and seclusion. Instead she is engulfed by nightmares as the house gives up its secrets and she becomes aware of what seems to be a child's evil presence intent on revenge. Julia becomes obsessed with the need to know her role in a twenty year old mystery and she must search amongst the distorted survivors of a hideous crime. Straub's second book.