The story follows Abby, a woman who is haunted by recurring childhood nightmares of a field filled with human skulls and bones. On the eve of her wedding to Willem, these nightmares return, forcing her to confront dark secrets from her past. The narrative alternates between the present day and her traumatic childhood, building suspense as she tries to outrun her past.
Set during World War II, the novel follows two parallel storylines involving the Strickland family:Â
New Mexico:Â The family faces the loss of their ranch and home when the U.S. government expands a bombing range into their land following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Philippines: Their son, Jack, is caught in the Pacific Theater, enduring the Bataan Death March and subsequent Japanese prison camps.
The story explores themes of sacrifice, family bonds, and the personal tragedies of war, culminating in the era of the atomic bomb.
This book offers a critical and witty account of the dark side of Los Angeles, including its public and private personas, celebrity culture, and the entertainment industry.
