Halley's Comet night at Winterscombe in 1910 ends with a violent death which throws a shadow over three generations of the Cavendish family. At the centre of events is the intriguing but dangerous Constance Shawcross, who casts a spell - which may be a curse - on all the sons of the family. Following the
destruction of two World Wars-and the passions, deceits and hatreds of the intervening peace-it is the coruscating power of Constance's personality,
and the sinister secret at the heart of her life, which will determine if Victoria, last of the Cavendishes, is to inherit happiness or misery.
