In this tale, historical preservationist Caroline Horton is sent to the tiny town of Danburg, Georgia, to restore an architectural landmark donated to the state for rehabilitation. After the shocking news of her sterility sends her husband into the arms of another woman, she too is in need of restoration. But when booze and denial finally run out for the middle aged divorcee, the Danburg Manor's shadowy past provides therapeutic distraction. In an attempt to flesh out both rooms and family skeletons alike, Caroline is led to the charred remains of an heirloom grandfather clock. Delighted to have at least piece original to the home, she sends the clock away for restoration. Weeks later a package of what was found hidden inside is delivered...a leather diary. Although the memoir itself cannot be definitively tied to the Danburg, Caroline is drawn to the mysterious narrator's plight. As the contents of the diary become more commiserate with the author's ages, fears of possible sexual abuse trigger repressed memories for the preservationist and she begins to obsess over every entry. But before she can reach the diary's end, she is faced with the prospect that something even worse might have happened to the phantom child. For sandwiched in between the singed pages penned in another's hand is the cryptic description 0f a brutal murder scene.