Rachel Verinder finds herself inheriting a large Indian diamond on her eighteenth birthday as a legacy from her uncle, a corrupt British army officer who served in India. The diamond, associated with the Hindu moon god, is of great religious significance as well as being extremely valuable, and there are whispers of a curse placed upon it. Sure enough, the stone is stolen from Rachel's bedroom later that night. In addition, a period of turmoil, unhappiness, misunderstandings and ill luck ensues.