New York City

The novel opens in New York City, which is the most populous city in the United States. Lowen has lived there for years while working as a writer of limited success. She also took care of her mother, who recently died of cancer. At the beginning of the novel, Lowen coincidentally meets Jeremy on the streets of New York shortly before they have a meeting together. Jeremy hires Lowen to help finish writing Verity’s book series. Lowen then leaves the city to go to the Crawford’s house, which is where the rest of the novel takes place.

Crawford House

Jeremy and Verity live in a house in Vermont. They bought a house there after Verity became a successful writer. After Lowen accepts the job of completing Verity’s book series, Jeremy asks Lowen to come to the house in order to look through Verity...