After finishing her graduate degree in history, 24 year old Jane Wintersmith travels to her Alabama cousin's family estate, Summerspelle. She relishes the opportunity for summer employment and archival work, and she meets Linton Collins, a budding local photographer who helps take her mind off a failed love affair. A find in the cupola room of the house unleashes an old secret of rage and obsession that threatens to destroy Jane even as it binds her to Ezra English, a handsome but troubled local professor of history.

The passion between her and Ezra is frightening, and Jane wonders if it is real or only linked to the house. Jane must tease out the difference between love and obsession if she is going to find happiness and put the past to rest with Ezra's help.