The story starts with an unnamed narrator listening to Douglas a friend read a manuscript written by a former governess whom Douglas claims to have known and who is now dead.The manuscript tell the story of how the young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after the death of their parents.He lives mainly in London and is not interested in raising the children himself.The story is full of suspense,horror and ambiguity.It makes your hair raise on end.