"The finest writer of paperback originals in America." - Stephen King "Surely one of the most terrifying novels ever written." - Poppy Z. Brite "Beyond any trace of doubt, one of the best writers of horror in this or any other country." - Peter Straub "Readers of weak constitution should beware!" - Publishers Weekly "McDowell has a flair for the gruesome." - Washington Post After a bizarre and disturbing incident at the funeral of matriarch Marian Savage, the McCray and Savage families look forward to a restful and relaxing summer at Beldame, on Alabama"s Gulf Coast, where three Victorian houses loom over the shimmering beach. Two of the houses are habitable, while the third is slowly and mysteriously being buried beneath an enormous dune of blindingly white sand. But though long uninhabited, the third house is not empty. Inside, something deadly lies in wait. Something that has terrified Dauphin Savage and Luker McCray since they were boys...