This is the very last of Elizabeth Peters books that I had to read, and it is the first one that is totally set in the United stated. Laurie finds herself traveling to Maryland to her ancestral home at Idlewood where her elderly aunts and uncle live. It was a place that she really considered home because her mother had left her their to be raised while she explored the world.

She si joined by her half brother and find that things have taken on a disturbing air. Their elderly family members had hired themselves a young man to help with chores in the house and around the estate, but they are not sure if that is enough. It quickly becomes apparent that their Aunt Lizzie might be starting to lose her mind when she makes her way out into the icy night.

Lizzie is convinced that the fairy folk are living in the area and are reaching out to her. It has led her to place herself in danger a number of times. She even has photographs of the fairies to prove it.

It does not take long for them to realize that whatever is happening is leading to danger for Lizzie, but not because of her being addled. Instead, someone seems to be out to hurt or kill her.

The question is whether Laurie and her brother can sort out what is going on before someone gets seriously hurt. It is going to mean that sorting out the secrets of the people who live in the community and their own family's history. Of course, Laurie herself might find herself in serious trouble as well.

It turns out that the storms of trouble at Idlewood are not just due to the winter air.