When Jutta's mother sent her to tiny, windswept Bardhol to stay with their ancient female relations, she hinted slyly that those crafty crones might be hiding a fortune. But all Jutta found was boredom, toil -- and cats, spoiled pets demanding constant attention. Their only neighbors were antiquated, mad, or resting -- permanently -- in the graveyard at the foot of the hill. Jutta's grandmothers warned her away from the graveyard, but the cats went, and Jutta followed. What she found there would change her life forever.