After an anxious and nerve-racking coach journey across a dark and dreary landscape, the young and slender Elizabeth Canham had finally reached the old church in Yorkshire where she was to be picked up to start her new role as teacher at the Burndale Academy. But, no one was there! Determined not to be crushed by the reality of her situation and the darkening rain clouds, Beth pushes back her blonde curls and starts walking through the graveyard to learn more about this small town. When she sees the tombstones for two young women who had recently died, she feels a strong sense of chilling foreboding. Where they also teachers at the Academy?

With no other employment and her own family faced with recent poverty and fast dwindling funds, Beth knew she couldn't stay and be one more mouth at the table. So, she had jumped on this opportunity into an unknown place that right now did not seem like such a blessing.

While Griffin Fairfax didn't lack for wealth, he had his own share of problems and a dark and painful past that held no joy for the future. Having been born into privilege, he had thrown that away as to live wickedly on the wild side in London. Returning to Yorkshire when his father died, he seemed to have changed his ways. That is until his wife died and his beloved daughter had turned inward and now didn't even want to see him. How could he ever make her forget the terrible sin he had inflicted on her when she watched her own mother die?

While often at the Academy for his daughter and moved by the progress she was making with Isobel, Beth noticed that Griffin seemed to be also watching her. Was he there to protect her or was he the man that was murdering young women with curly hair? How could she trust what she felt about him when he himself said that his own past was full of wicked deeds and all of the murders seemed to connect back to him in some chilling way? Yet still, she so yearned for his touch!

With her excellent historical research and skill in interweaving plotlines, best-selling author, Eve Silver has crafted a strong gothic romance involving the actions of a serial killer. Told from differing points of view, which heightens the growing suspense, you'll have a tough time putting this one down!