Masayo, aspirante pittrice, viene assunta in casa dell'affascinante professore d'arte Kawakubo Gorô come insegnante privata della figlia di otto anni, Momoko. Dal carattere freddo e dotata di una maturità fuori dal comune, dopo la morte della madre la bambina tiene a distanza chiunque non sia Lala, la sua bellissima gatta bianca, e solo dopo molti sforzi Masayo riuscirà ad avvicinarsi e a stringere con lei e con la gatta un'amicizia intima. Ma l'arrivo della nuova compagna del padre, Chinatsu, accende la rabbia di Momoko e la gelosia di Masayo, innamorata di Gorô. La vita in casa Kawakubo continua a scorrere in un clima di crescente tensione, fino a quando l'inverno e il silenzio dei campi di grano ricoperti da una spessa coltre di neve libereranno le loro pulsioni più oscure, e la verità verrà finalmente a galla.

One of the most popular writers working in Japan today, Mariko Koike is a recognized master of detective fiction and horror writing. Known in particular for her hybrid works that blend these styles with elements of romance, The Graveyard Apartment is arguably Koike’s masterpiece. Originally published in Japan in 1986, Koike’s novel is the suspenseful tale of a young family that believes it has found the perfect home to grow into, only to realize that the apartment’s idyllic setting harbors the specter of evil and that longer they stay, the more trapped they become.

This tale of a young married couple who harbor a dark secret is packed with dread and terror, as they and their daughter move into a brand new apartment building built next to a graveyard. As strange and terrifying occurrences begin to pile up, people in the building start to move out one by one, until the young family is left alone with someone... or something... lurking in the basement. The psychological horror builds moment after moment, scene after scene, culminating with a conclusion that will make you think twice before ever going into a basement again.

Recently widowed Goro Kawakubo, the dashing son of a famous artist, hires an au pair, Masayo, to care for his eight-year-old daughter, Momoko. Her only companion is her cat, Lala. Masayo quickly falls in love with Goro's lifestyle and then the widower himself. One fateful night, Goro meets the gorgeous Chinatsu, who soon becomes his girlfriend. Masayo is tormented with jealousy but can do nothing but watch.

Meanwhile young Momoko demonstrates more and more macabre tendencies, further retreating into a world only she and her cat occupy. As Chinatsu tries to win over the potential stepdaughter's affection, she reaslizes she has to compete with Lala, and Chinatsu hates cats. The tension among the wome nin Goro's home climaxes with a shocking act of femme fatale vengeance.

Koike's trademark blend of traditional romance and suspense turns the happy-ending formula of love stories on its head with an added jolt of intrigue and mystery.