When art historian Max Morden returns to the seaside village where he spent his childhood holidays, he is escaping from a recent loss. He met the Grace family during that long ago summer and was captivated by them. The easy going parents were unlike any adults he had ever met, but it was the Grace twins Myles and Chloe who most fascinated Max. He grew to know them intimately, and what ensued would haunt him for the rest of his life and shape everything that was to follow.