Recovering from the recent death of his wife in a tragic accident, TonySheridan goes to stay with his sister-in-law, Lucy, and her husband,long-time friend Matt Prior, at their new home in the country - Otherways.It is a strange, circular, moated house, the only surviving creation of aneccentric and reclusive Edwardian architect. Disturbed by memories of hiswife, and a growing attraction to Lucy, Sheridan is also troubled by weirdand vivid dreams. He learns that a murder committed at Otherways in 1939still has a strange and malign power over those living in or near thehouse, as does a later scandal surrounding the murderer's brother, anuclear scientist who defected to the Soviet Union. These and othermysteries forewarn Sheridan of disaster as he and Lucy embark on apassionate affair. But disaster, when it strikes, is far worse than awrecked marriage or a friendship betrayed. In uncovering the truth aboutOtherways, Sheridan realises too late that he is merely adding to the listof its victims - and that those closest to him may soon be among them.