Sylvia and Henry are an estranged couple. She is a romance writer living in New Haven, Connecticut, in a revolutionary mansion built by a relative of the then governor Trumball. Henry is Sylvia’s publisher, but is living in New York City. He occasionally visits as publishing duties require and to see their two children, now adults.

Since they’ve been separated for 15 years, each is considering asking for a divorce to end their charade of a marriage. However, the rose gardens have fallen into severe decay. Sylvia knows the rose gardens are one of the few draws Henry has to New Haven, especially since the kids are grown and out of the home. She is also working on her new detective series, Johnny Gallant, with a deadline for August. If the landscape repairs are to be done, she needs Henry to stay the summer and supervise the work.

Henry reluctantly agrees to spend the summer, and hires a professional who resembles a once famous singer. Henry believes the house is haunted. Sylvia believes Henry fabricates the appearance of spirits as an accuse not to visit more often.

As the summer progresses, the love between Henry and Sylvia rekindles. Reconciliation seems possible. Until the publishing company is sued for plagiarism alleged to have been perpetrated by Sylvia. She is innocent, but proving her innocence will be difficult and requires Henry’s presence back in New York. Henry and Sylvia seem to be more divided than ever.

Independently of each other, Sylvia and Henry begin to explore their spiritual dryness. Henry resents God because of his father’s senseless death. Sylvia discovers her spiritual dryness is a result of negligence. Not seeking God at all had made her indifferent.

The book also contains chapters from Sylvia’s work in progress. Johnny Gallant is hired by a movie actress who feels someone is trying to kill her. Johnny falls in love with his client.