"The woods can be dangerous," Burke Dumont, a temperamental theater producer, warns Cathy Foster soon after she arrives at Shelters, her father's ominous, isolated house. Burke is just one of the acquaintances staying at the rustic retreat, since Cathy's wealthy dad loves to be surrounded by people, even when they try to take advantage of him. The woods do prove dangerous to Cathy, and the house as well. Though she tells her fears to handsome Tom Calder, her father's nearest neighbor, Cathy is alone during all the bad times, the times her secret enemy starts to sneak into her room, or throws rocks at her, or commits the unspeakable....