In traditional fairy tales the handsome prince rescues the beautiful princess from her wicked stepmother & the couple live happily ever after. But in Ruth Rendells dark & damaged contemporary universe innocent dreams can turn into the most terrible living nightmares. Teddy Brex emerges from a loveless isolated childhood as a handsome but autistic young man. Francine Hill emotionally & mentally scarred by the murder of her mother grows into a beautiful young woman who must endure the overprotectiveness of an increasingly obsessive stepmother. Teddy Brex does ride to her rescue but he is a man who has already committed two murders. In Rendells dark criminal London can anyone be trusted?