Set in the 1960s in the fictional town of Zephyr, Alabama, the novel follows the life of 12-year-old Cory Mackenson, whose life takes a mysterious turn when he witnesses his father attempt to save a man from a sinking car. The man is already handcuffed to the steering wheel, dead by strangulation. This event triggers a series of adventures and mysteries that Cory must unravel, all the while dealing with the challenges and joys of growing up. The book is a rich blend of nostalgia, magic realism, and the dark undercurrents of life in the American South.

A stranger arrives in the small town of Viscos, carrying with him a choice that could bless or curse the entire community. The town's inhabitants are forced to confront their deepest fears and question their moral compasses as they wrestle with the stranger's proposition: he will give them a fortune in gold if they kill one of their own. The stranger's presence stirs up chaos and brings to light the darkness within the human soul, challenging the townsfolk to make a decision that will determine their future.

The protagonist, a middle-aged man, returns to his childhood home for a funeral and is drawn to the farm at the end of the road where he encounters a pond that was once an ocean in his childhood memories. He recalls a series of strange and terrifying events that occurred when he was seven, involving the mystical Hempstock women who live on the farm and their battle against malevolent supernatural entities that threatened his existence. The book explores themes of memory, magic, and the darkness that lies beneath the surface of everyday life.

In this science fiction novel, the protagonist, born in a world where travel between parallel universes is possible, is one of the rare individuals who can traverse these alternate realities due to her counterparts being dead in other worlds. The story delves into themes of identity, privilege, and survival, as she navigates complex relationships and a web of secrets. Her unique position allows her to gather intel across worlds, but it also places her in grave danger, leading her to confront her own past and the stark disparities between different versions of her life and society. As she moves through these spaces, she must grapple with the moral implications of her actions and the true meaning of having a place to call home.