Jimmy Eddowes is the manager of an ornate movie theater in the small town of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, in 1946. His son, Steven, has just returned from combat duty in Europe, to live at home with his parents. What should be a calm period of adjustment begins to turn into a nightmarish series of revelations, as a killer prowls the night-time streets of his hometown.
Dark, violent deeds unfold against the background of the Palace Theater. From its lavish opening night with Jimmy as the assistant manager, to his lively on stage act as a magician for special children's cartoon carnivals, through the horrifying events that are the novel's main focus - the reader is transported to a time that is both nostalgic and frightening.
In addition to Jimmy, his wife and sons, we are introduced to Ilsa Peach, the box office lady; to "Big" Frank Tucino, the projectionist and former boxer, and his wife, who discovers a disturbing secret he's been hiding; and to Sam Packer, the doorman and ticket-taker whose shocking revelation to the returning Steven acts as a catalyst for the terrifying climactic events.The theater itself becomes a character, emerging as a life force in the town, an ironic background to the disturbing events brewing in the hearts and minds of its employees and some of the townspeople.