The arrival of a mysterious, wealthy stranger in a small Rhode Island town disrupts the lives of three women who have recently discovered their own supernatural abilities. Alexandra, Jane, and Sukie navigate their newfound powers—sculpting storms, levitating, and transmuting substances—while contending with the social pressures of their insular community. When Darryl Van Horne enters their lives, he acts as a catalyst for their latent desires and darker impulses. The narrative explores the intersection of suburban domesticity and occult influence, utilizing a third-person perspective that shifts between the internal states of the protagonists and the judgmental gaze of the townspeople.

Readers and critics frequently discuss the stylistic density of the prose, noting the author's focus on intricate character studies over rapid plot progression. Discussion often centers on the balance between the supernatural premise and the grounded, satirical portrayal of 1960s suburban life. Many observers highlight the provocative nature of the character interactions and the way the narrative challenges conventional expectations of morality. The atmosphere is often described as claustrophobic and sharp, reflecting the tension between the protagonists' desires and the town's rigid expectations. This work remains a frequent subject of analysis regarding its depiction of gender roles and the subversion of traditional archetypes.