In the 1800s, a wealthy family, the Holbecks, moved a Hungarian castle piece by piece to be reconstructed in the hills of New York. In the contemporary setting of the novel, Harriet Reed is desperately trying to escape the castle. She knows that if she calls the police, no one will believe her because she is not of the wealthy and influential Holbeck family. Harriet is bleeding from her head, which she hopes is more superficial an injury than it seems. She resolves to fight for her life.

Harriet hears from her literary agent, Louisa, that she’s officially a best-selling author, which helps ease Harriet’s homesickness for London. Harriet has been living in New York City for only four months; she’s moved in with her boyfriend of a year, Edward Holbeck. Harriet is happily in love with Edward, even though his family wealth and connections make his life very different than hers. Harriet hasn’t met Edward’s family, though she’s heard about their ruthlessness and wealth. Harriet’s American mother and English father died when she was 11 years old. Louisa asks Harriet how her new novel is going, and Harriet asks for a monthlong extension.