In the prologue, titled “Overture,” an unnamed narrator (later revealed to be Chad) speaks directly to an unnamed second person (later revealed to be Rosie, the novel’s protagonist). Chad is standing on the ledge of a tall building, and Rosie is begging him to step back. Chad feels that their whole relationship has been leading to this moment and that there is no option except for him to jump and set them both free. From the moment they met, Chad thinks, he knew that he wasn’t good enough for her and that he would somehow destroy the life they have built together. Chad’s thoughts are interrupted by the sound of someone pounding on a door and sirens in the distance. Rosie assures the narrator that he’ll be okay. He tries to decide whether to step off the ledge.

As “Act 1” begins, Rosie, a true-crime writer living in New York City, meets with her stylish editor, Max, a friend from college, to discuss her newest book proposal. Although Rosie’s first book was a success, her profits are running low, and she needs her next to sell well. The proposal is about an iconic apartment building that has a reputation for being haunted: The building’s famous residents, including Rosie’s uncle-in-law Ivan, tend to die in the building.