Maura’s father is a famous barrister, a man of high intellect and exotic personality. It is not Maura’s fault that she cannot match up to his talents, but in shame at her inadequacy she allows herself to be dominated by his forceful character. Already, she has sacrified one man to her father’s possessiveness. Is this to be the pattern of her life?

          From the tidal creeks of the Essex marshes, the story moves with mounting tension to London and Ireland – and a startling, dramatic conclusion in New York.