A grieving father becomes convinced that his deceased daughter has been reincarnated into a young girl living in New York City, sparking a desperate and dangerous obsession. Elliot Hoover, shattered by the loss of his family in a tragic accident, seeks solace in the occult and finds a psychic who confirms his belief that Ivy Templeton is the vessel for Audrey Rose's soul. As he attempts to intervene in Ivy's life, he faces intense opposition from her parents and the legal system, who view his actions as the delusions of a broken man. The narrative unfolds through a tense, escalating conflict that forces the reader to weigh the validity of supernatural claims against the cold reality of psychiatric instability and parental protection.

This novel is widely recognized as a staple of 1970s supernatural horror, often noted for its focus on the unsettling implications of reincarnation. The premise suggests a narrative that prioritizes psychological dread over visceral gore, grounding its supernatural elements in the very real pain of parental loss. Readers often point to the ethical dilemma posed by the protagonist's actions as the primary source of the book's lingering impact. The story's structure effectively builds suspense by keeping the reader uncertain about whether the events are a genuine spiritual phenomenon or a manifestation of profound mental trauma.