A collection of darkly compelling tales from the unique imagination of Joyce Carol Oates. A young professor is convinced she's being followed, but when she confronts her shadow events take an unexpected turn. A promising student attempts to save her brother from his descent into madness, but she soon finds out there may be more to his world than to hers. A renowned author embarks on a grand tour of Europe, but soon his bad manners threaten to cost him more than he has to give. These biting and beautiful stories force us to confront, one by one, the demons within.