In this neo-Victorian novel set in the fictional county of Duncain, spiritualism impacts an Anglo-Irish family. Following the death of her father, Alice Crofton returns to her family's crumbling house, believing she will settle the estate and leave. But nothing in Duncain ever truly leaves. In her absence, spiritualism has gripped the rural county and charismatic mediums have encroached into the household, setting their sights on Alice's family - and her inheritance. Alice tries to hold on to her family and her sanity as hysteria and hauntings take over all she once knew. Written in gothic and ghost story traditions, Begotten 's d ark - and sometimes humorous - narrative raises questions about the trustworthiness of one's senses and the very nature of ghosts.