A stifling marriage and a clandestine affair drive two lovers toward a calculated act of violence that irrevocably alters their reality. Thérèse Raquin, confined by the monotony of her existence in a damp Parisian apartment, seeks liberation through a volatile relationship with Laurent. Their objective to secure a future together is obstructed by the presence of her husband, Camille, leading them to commit a murder that serves as the catalyst for their psychological disintegration. The narrative employs a third-person perspective to observe the characters with clinical detachment, emphasizing the physical and environmental factors that dictate their descent into madness.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the clinical, almost scientific precision with which Zola dissects the moral decay of his protagonists. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of the setting as a mirror for the characters' internal states, noting how the oppressive atmosphere of the apartment contributes to the narrative tension. Many observers point to the stark contrast between the initial physical passion of the lovers and the subsequent psychological paralysis that defines the latter half of the book. The work is widely recognized for its uncompromising portrayal of human nature, which continues to provoke debate regarding the limits of naturalism in fiction. Scholars often emphasize that the novel serves as a foundational text for understanding the transition toward modern psychological realism.