There is beautiful, sophisticated Marina Thwaite-an "It" girl finishing her first book; the daughter of Murray Thwaite, celebrated intellectual and journalist-and her two closest friends from Brown, Danielle, a quietly appealing television producer, and Julius, a cash-strapped freelance critic. The delicious complications that arise among them become dangerous when Murray's nephew, Frederick "Bootie" Tubb, an idealistic college dropout determined to make his mark, comes to town. As the skies darken, it is Bootie's unexpected decisions-and their stunning, heart-breaking outcome-that will change each of their lives forever.