Having just moved back in with his working-class parents, twentysomething on-and-off philosophy undergrad Walter navigates turn-of-the-millennium Turin and Gen-X ennui.

While going through a difficult divorce from her domineering, businessman husband, Alexandra moves back into her old childhood brownstone home, where she sets out to uncover dark family secrets from when she was a young girl, involving her Aunt Judith's murder and her mother's descent into insanity. The only clue is a key to a mysterious secret room that lies within the house. As a series of bizarre and unsettling incidents prod Alexandra to investigate her past, she finds herself wandering deeper into danger as her past comes back to haunt her.

Failed music hall performer Jack James inherits a brothel when his ancient Aunt dies. He takes over the running of the business and falls in love with its star attraction, beautiful prostitute Virginia.

When a much-despised matriarch is murdered, or apparently murdered, all of her relatives and "friends" fall under suspicion. Sheriff Gregory is the official investigator, but most of the clue gathering is done by amateur sleuths Kirk Pierce and Sally Ambler.