Haunted by his father's suicide, Nathaniel Kerner becomes a mad-doctor at Crakethorne Asylum. Nathaniel's only interesting case is Mrs Victoria Harleston: her husband accuses her of hysteria and delusions. Nathaniel is increasingly obsessed with Victoria, but when he has her mesmerised, there are unexpected results: Victoria starts hearing voices from beyond the grave. Increasingly besotted, Nathaniel finds himself caught up in a world of séances and stage mesmerism in his bid to find Victoria and save her.