This ingeniously plotted novel reveals the strange ways that men and women choose to act out their romantic feelings—and the lengths some will go to avenge unrequited love. John Hampstead is a jack-of-all-trades who is bowled over by the dramatic presence of actress Marien Dourney—but not quite in the way that she hopes. When John doesn't return her affections, Marien hatches a depraved plan to exact revenge. Will John be able to escape her clutches?