An invitation to stay with childhood friends seems an excellent idea to aid Helena's recovery after her cancer treatment. Helena grew up with the Hickmans and had spent many happy holidays with them. The fact that they live in a castle surrounded by forest makes it an even more perfect spot to recuperate. But when a man is found burned to death in a car, the apparently irrelevant though horrific incident creates unexpected disturbances. Helena and Eisenmenger, caught in the middle of it all, cannot understand why. But the unpleasantness grows and worse is to come, for secrets are unearthed that concern not only the Hickmans, but also Helena and her past.