Balyet whisks readers away to the brink of the untamed wilderness, beginning as a seemingly mundane camping trip. At its heart is a fourteen-year-old girl, her vigilant Granny who assigns her exasperating chores, and two captivating young men offering thrills and motorcycle adventures. Yet, lurking beyond is a deeper mystery awaiting Jo in the wilds.

Long ago, this same spot harbored a young woman and two brothers, culminating in a tragic fate. Consequently, Jo's outing veers from the path of carefree flirtation and innocent discovery. Instead, she becomes ensnared in a web of fog and whispers, ushering her into an unexpectedly profound encounter. What is this "sorrow in the hills" that beckons her so irresistibly despite the looming peril? The answer unfolds in a narrative both thrilling and haunting.