A bored young boy discovers a mysterious house where every day is a holiday, only to realize that the price of eternal amusement is his own life. Harvey Swick, tired of the monotony of his daily existence, follows a charismatic stranger to the Holiday House, a place where the seasons change at will and every desire is met with immediate gratification. As he spends more time in this enchanted realm, he begins to notice the unsettling physical toll the house takes on its inhabitants and the sinister nature of its proprietor, Mr. Hood. The narrative follows Harvey's struggle to escape the house's influence before he is permanently consumed by its insatiable hunger.

This work is widely regarded as a departure from the author's more visceral horror, showcasing a more whimsical yet still unsettling side of his imagination. Readers often highlight the fable-like quality of the prose, noting how it effectively balances dark themes with a sense of wonder suitable for a younger audience. The narrative is frequently praised for its tight pacing and the evocative nature of its central metaphor regarding the theft of time. It remains a staple in the author's bibliography for those who appreciate dark fantasy that retains a strong moral core.