Set in San Francisco in the early 1900s. At age 10, Maggie joins old family friends at their mansion, a bordello-turned-private home. There Maggie struggles against the ghost of the former presiding madam who strives to possess her body. As Lottie, ravishing in Maggie's body, wanders the mansion plotting evil, Maggie's spirit strives to repossess the body Lottie has stolen. A chilling tale of reincarnation and revenge.
Severity reflects intensity, not value — “central theme” means a warning is a core part of the book, not that the book is bad.