A long-buried childhood secret resurfaces through cryptic classified advertisements, forcing three estranged women to confront the divergent paths their lives have taken since 1914. Dinah, Clare, and Sheila reunite nearly fifty years after burying a box together as children, each woman having transformed into a distinct social archetype. As they navigate their current identities—the eccentric widow, the imperious entrepreneur, and the polished housewife—they must reconcile their present realities with the ghosts of their shared past. The narrative operates through a blend of psychological observation and retrospective reflection, examining how childhood bonds endure or erode under the weight of time and hidden trauma.

Discussion often centers on the author's precise, nuanced prose and her ability to capture the subtle tensions inherent in long-standing female friendships. Readers frequently highlight the effectiveness of the shifting timeline, which allows for a stark contrast between the innocence of the girls' past and the complexities of their adult lives. Critics often point to the book's atmosphere, noting that the mystery of the buried box serves more as a vehicle for character exploration than as a traditional plot device. The work is widely regarded for its psychological depth and its refusal to offer easy resolutions to the characters' internal conflicts. Many readers appreciate the way the narrative dissects the social masks worn by the protagonists as they attempt to maintain their composure in the face of buried truths.