While completing a project for school, Becca Grey finds a distinct pattern in the women's lives in her family tree. Since the 1730s in every generation, the second daughter of the first daughter has never lived a day past eighteen. Her family has called it the 'Tilly Curse' after its first known victim. Her cousin Elisabeth, who is just five at the time, is next in line to suffer the same fate. Becca is determined to find the answer. In the years ahead, she must hone her skills to try and defeat something beyond reasoning.