This novel tells the story of two brothers from Italy, Dorian and Adam, with two very different personalities. Adam convinces Dorian to finish a painting of their mother, started by their father over twenty years before, in an attempt to prevent their step-mother Rosa inheriting their father's fortune. The story moves to London where we meet Suzi, her brother Edward and Carla, a naive and lonely thirty-two year old, who has recently moved to the area. Through Suzi, Carla meets Dorian and models for him.
Carla's growing obsession with Dorian is well-developed and the explicit BDSM scenes are detailed and descriptive. The dialogue is strong throughout the book, not only between Carla and the increasingly concerned Suzi, but also between Dorian and the scheming Adam.
An air of intrigue and suspense runs throughout. Is Edward all that he seems to be? What are Adam's true motives? The sections of the book are divided into days, which works well to add to the growing unease. The ending is unexpected and shocking and will keep you thinking for a long time afterwards.