Madeline Chambers lives the life she always wanted--that of a successful writer-until a highway accident in Virginia changes her in a way she never could have imagined. Waking in the hospital, Madeline begins having terrible nightmares of a child crying, being chased down a hallway, and eventually being strangled and pushed down stairs. She soon realizes her dreams are not her own but that of her hospital roommate. Suddenly being able to see the subconscious fears and desires of people in her life terrifies Madeline. She moves to the small remote town of Suffolk, Vermont, in the hopes that her seclusion will provide relief from the invasive dreams. She also hopes to reinvigorate her creativity. She soon meets Sam, a hearty New England woman and neighbor who becomes her friend. She also meets Drew, Sam's son and the sheriff of their quiet town, who quickly charms his way into her life. Anthony is a former student of Sam's who has returned to Suffolk looking for work after many years away in Boston, but Drew is immediately suspicious. Anthony's motives for being home again don't make sense, and after several disturbing dreams, Madeline is horrified to learn Anthony's presence in her peaceful town is a dangerous threat. Madeline sought the quiet, but now she gets anything but--as her dreams lead her further into darkness and possibly death.