When young Jennifer Stratton accepted an invitation from the widow of famed actor Charles Carnavaron to spend a weekend at Tintagel Castle, she thought only of how exciting it was to be the first person allowed to interview the eccentric recluse. Jennifer was also eager to prove to her fiancé (and boss) that she could write an attention-getting story to publicize the upcoming prestigious Carnavaron Awards, named for the dead actor.

But her first sight of the castle—bulky, sullen, cold, and mysterious—made Jennifer oddly afraid. And the strange inhabitants and peculiar happenings on the island didn't ease her mind.

Why did they put her in Charles Carnavaron's old room? Who was trying to scare her away by pretending to be the actor's ghost? It couldn't be frail, old Miranda Carnavaron, who was being so kind to Jenny, or Lizzie, the half-witted servant girl. Could it be handsome Heath Carney, who arrived at the castle unannounced and seemed bent on destroying Miranda?

But if Heath is evil, why does Jennifer feel so attracted to him? And how about poetess Kate Drummond, Carnavaron's ex-mistress and now friend and companion of his widow, and Paul Alpert, his former valet—are these two in collusion with Heath to kill Miranda? And is Jennifer's own life in danger? During the terrifying and bizarre stay at Tintagel Castle, Jennifer discovers the shattering secret of the Carnavaron family and is trapped by a desperate murderer. Can she outwit her crazed captor, or is Jennifer doomed to become a victim of Carnavaron's Castle?