[1] The story is narrated by an English psychotherapist, Theo Faber, dealing with a patient who turns mute after murdering her husband.

The Athenian tragedy Alcestis, by Euripides, served as an inspiration for the plot, while its narrative structure was influenced by Agatha Christie's writing.

"[6] The Guardian concurred, praising its "tight, uncluttered prose" and "skillful building [of] tension until the novel's shocking denouement".

Deccan Herald called it "an intelligent plot coupled with an interesting character study, and finally the impactful punch that leaves you flabbergasted."

The Washington Post praised the plot as "fresh" but criticised its "hacky horror tropes, trite scenes and comically shifty red herring characters.