A darkly funny, frightening novel about a young woman learning how to
take what she wants from a witch who may be too good to be true, from
the author of The Return.
All her life, Annie has played it nice and safe. After being
unceremoniously dumped by her longtime boyfriend, Annie seeks a fresh
start. She accepts a teaching position that moves her from Manhattan to
a small village upstate. She's stunned by how perfect and picturesque
the town is. The people are all friendly and warm. Her new apartment is
dreamy too, minus the oddly persistent spider infestation.
Then Annie meets Sophie. Beautiful, charming, magnetic Sophie, who takes
a special interest in Annie, who wants to be her friend. More
importantly, she wants Annie to stop apologizing and start living for
herself. That's how Sophie lives. Annie can't help but gravitate toward
the self-possessed Sophie, wanting to spend more and more time with her,
despite the fact that the rest of the townsfolk seem...a little afraid
of her. And like, okay. There are some things. Sophie's appearance is
uncanny and ageless, her mansion in the middle of the woods feels a
little unearthly, and she does seem to wield a certain power...but she
couldn't be...could she?
