Unable to shake the oppressive atmosphere of the city after a life changing case, Dr. Peter Ainsley retreats to his family's country estate near Tunbridge Wells to find asylum and, perhaps, forgiveness. The discovery of a strange girl in the back woods introduces him, and his sister, Margaret, to the peculiar Owen family with a questionable reputation in town rooted in nefarious gambling activities and a long family history of discord amongst townspeople. Soon Margaret discovers her unexpected new friend, Ivy Owen, who talks to herself and is prone to angry outbursts, is with child and the question of the unborn baby's paternity lingers. When a catastrophic barn fire leads to a man's death Ainsley is forced out of his refuge and back into the work that once toyed with his sanity.Haunted by ghosts of his past and forced to relive moments that scar him still, Ainsley begins to piece together a disjointed puzzle of family strife, loose morals and questionable sanity. One thing is clear, however, he must find the killer and bring him to justice before they all end up in the asylum.