Rose's early life was full of tragedy. Her father disappeared one night, presumed drowned and her twin brother died when he was only ten, on a bike that had been his cherished birthday present. No wonder that she depends on her husband, Michael. He is the only certainty in her life, and provides the love and stability that her own family background lacked. All Rose asks of Michael is complete fidelity, and when she has cause to doubt him she devises a terrible revenge. Michael has planned an anniversary trip to Venice for the two of them. But as they ride in gondolas, dine on delicious seafood and wander the sights of this most romantic of cities, Rose, racked with secret jealousy, is making plans. By the time they return, Michael will have become seriously ill - although not so ill that he cannot recognize the fact that something truly dreadful has happened to him. In this chilling novel Gillian White explores the most destructive of human weaknesses - jealousy.