Joseph Allston

Joseph Allston, or Joe, is a retired book editor from Manhattan. Joe and his wife have retired to the countryside in California in order to find some peace and quiet after the death of their only child, Curtis. Joe had a difficult relationship with his son and found himself constantly at odds with him throughout his adolescents and adulthood. As a result, Joe was not close to his son at the time of his death. Joe feels a great deal of guilt because of the death of his son, wondering if he could have done something different to prevent his child's poor behavior and death.

Joe and his wife bought a piece of property that once belonged to the ranch of a close neighbor. From the moment they began building their home, Joe and his wife found themselves at odds with this neighbor because he was reluctant...