A mysterious summons to a New York apartment forces four women to confront a shared secret regarding their connection to a single, enigmatic host. Judy, Kate, Pagan, and Maxine find themselves bound by a singular question: which of them is the mother of the woman who has brought them together. As the narrative shifts between their current confrontation and the history of their individual lives, they must navigate the complex web of their pasts. The story utilizes a non-linear structure to reveal how their paths intersected and the events that led to this high-stakes reunion. Each woman faces the logical constraints of her own history while attempting to reconcile the truth of her identity with the others present.

Readers frequently highlight the book's focus on the intricate relationships between the four central women and the slow reveal of their interconnected pasts. Discussion often centers on the pacing of the mystery and how the author balances the individual backstories with the overarching tension of the New York apartment scene. Critics often note the atmospheric quality of the settings and the way the narrative explores themes of ambition and personal history. The book is widely recognized for its influence on the genre of commercial women's fiction, with many readers appreciating the depth of character development provided throughout the text.