Laura DeLacey never realised that she was different to those around her, or that she was touched in some ways by the heavens, until she first set foot, contrary to all law and tradition, within the grim portals of Darkharrow. Here, in the remote Eastings of Britannia, far from the wealth and power of London, the dead lie sleeping beneath the ancient towers and cloisters of the great abbey. For some of these, destiny dictates that their long slumber shall endure until the last trump sounds and all of the dead rise from their graves at last, but a fortunate few are fated to reawaken well before that day. No one has ever been able to look upon the countenances of the departed and tell whether they may be awakened, whether their hearts are of ice or stone, and none have been able to summon them forth once more - until now.

Caught between the competing affections of those who love her, threatened by those who would destroy her, Laura finds herself enmeshed in a web of conspiracy that draws upon her deepest resources and enforces choices upon her of the most momentous kind.