A charismatic family's arrival in a quiet coastal village in 1971 sets off a chain of events that culminates in tragedy and a lingering, unresolved mystery thirteen years later. The narrative follows an investigator attempting to reconstruct the past, yet he faces constant obstruction from the local residents who harbor their own secrets. Barker utilizes a shifting temporal framework, contrasting the idyllic summer of 1971 with the cynical, investigative atmosphere of 1984. The protagonist's objective is to uncover the truth behind the Cleary family, but his own proximity to the events threatens to cloud his judgment and distort the reality of the situation.

This novel presents a complex, multi-layered narrative that challenges the reader's perception of truth and memory. The work is characterized by its sharp, biting wit and its refusal to provide easy answers to the mysteries it poses. By juxtaposing the vibrant, chaotic energy of the 1971 arrival with the stagnant, suspicious atmosphere of 1984, the text creates a sense of profound unease. The exploration of faith as a potentially shocking or disruptive force serves as a central thematic anchor for the story. Ultimately, the narrative functions as a study of how communities construct and protect their own versions of history.