When a devastating fire destroys Rob and Amy Lerner's lovely Victorian house, it also destroys a lifetime of Amy's art, all Rob's business papers, and their entire history – letters, photos, and memorabilia – all gone. To make matters worse, the fire breaks out just as they are huddled in a nearby restaurant negotiating the end of their marriage.
Although One Night With Lilith is the story of a marriage seemingly at its end, at its heart it's a love story. It draws on the biblical tale of Lilith, Adam's first wife, who is portrayed in myth and legend as a woman not only of fierce independence but also of unbridled sexuality. Rob is obsessed with this legend, and sees Amy as his "Lilith," not realizing the tragic cause of her sexual fervor – that even Amy herself doesn't understand until the novel's conclusion.