When Rose sees Joe in an Oxford bar, for her it is instant infatuation. He is everything she could ever want: a gifted pianist, witty and a high achiever. In her mind, at least, they are ideally matched and a burning desire for him takes hold. She knows she will never love anyone else. Fate, however, has other plans and Joe has no intention of settling down. All Rose will ever be to him is part of the student crowd. Instead, he embarks on a dazzling career, leaving Rose with shattered dreams.

But when Joe falls for her sister Lily, fantasy turns into gruesome fact. Two people die and a child is born. Murder is no big deal, after all. Rose has killed before and will do so again - and again - until she achieves her ultimate goal.