Set in the secluded village of Schwarzwaldau, the novel delves into the tangled web of relationships and dark secrets that lurk beneath the surface. At its heart is the love triangle between Emil von Schwarzwaldau, his wife Agnes, and the enigmatic hunter Franz. Driven by despair and unrequited love, Emil and Franz independently decide to end their lives. However, a fateful encounter prevents their suicides and sets in motion a chain of events that will forever alter the lives of those involved.