A series of inexplicable and gruesome tragedies plagues a rural Connecticut community, centering on the unsettling behavior of twin brothers Niles and Holland Perry. Niles, the sensitive and observant protagonist, attempts to navigate the escalating tension within his family while grappling with the increasingly malevolent actions of his identical twin, Holland. The narrative unfolds through a first-person perspective, grounding the reader in the claustrophobic atmosphere of a 1930s farmstead where secrets are buried deep within the family history. As the boys' grandmother introduces them to the concept of 'the game,' the boundary between childhood innocence and dark manipulation begins to dissolve, forcing Niles to confront the reality of his brother's influence.

Readers frequently highlight the slow-burn pacing that builds a pervasive sense of unease throughout the narrative. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the unreliable narrator and how the author manages the duality of the twin protagonists. Critics often point to the atmospheric writing style as a primary driver of the book's tension, noting that the horror is derived more from psychological disintegration than overt violence. Many readers appreciate the historical setting, which provides a grounded backdrop for the increasingly disturbing events that unfold within the Perry household. The book remains a frequently cited example of mid-century psychological horror that prioritizes character nuance over traditional genre tropes.