The novel begins with a murder of a woman in Upstate New York. Her husband, George Clare, who has recently started his job at a private college, discovers her dead body. George and Catherine have only recently moved in the old farmhouse with their young daughter, Franny. Naturally, George is the first suspect in the murder of his wife, especially after he decides to hit the road with his daughter the next day.
The novel jumps back and forth between the two timelines, the life of Clare family and the past. The past is concerned with the previous owners, and their tragic fate that left the three children orphans. The Hale family suffered constant abuse by the father of the family until, one day, he decides to commit suicide, taking his wife with him.
Jumping into the Clare family timeline, it is revealed that the three orphans take jobs at the farmhouse to reminisce and help Catherine around the house. Catherine is plagued by the house’s past, she discovers the previous owner’s possessions and feels haunted by the ghosts. As we get to know the Clare family more, we discover that George is rightfully the prime suspect in his wife’s murder. It is revealed that he emotionally and mentally abused her and that she planned to leave him.
It is revealed that recently before she was murdered, she packed a suitcase to leave, but her courage left her, and she admitted her intent to George. From there, it is vaguely concluded that George killed her soon after. The novel ends with a look into Franny’s future. She is depressed and has mental and emotional issues. She goes back to the old farmhouse and reunites with Cole, one of the orphans who babysat her, and starts a connection with him.
