Set in the early 19th century, this atmospheric novel follows a group of travelers sheltering in a crumbling hut on Exmoor's bleak moorlands. As secrets and tensions emerge among the stranded, Margaret Kennedy weaves a tale of survival, class divides, and the unexpected bonds formed in the face of adversity. The vivid portrayal of the rough life of wanderers, intertwined with a mysterious clergyman and a looming threat, adds layers of suspense and human drama.