Set in Kerala, India, in 1969, the novel is the story of seven-year-old twins Rahel and Estha, born of a wealthy family. Rahel and Estha are cared for by a host of characters: their beautiful mother, Ammu, who has left a violent husband; their Marxist uncle, Chacko, still pining for his English wife and daughter who left him; their grandaunt, Baby Kochamma, pickling in her virginity; and Veluth, a member of the Untouchable caste. When Chacko's ex-wife Margaret and his daughter Sophie, unexpectedly return the household is thrown into disarray. Tragedy strikes in the form of an accident and a terrifying murder.