Thanks to a nuclear holocaust, the world Ann Burden knew and everyone she ever loved is gone. But her solitude is about to change, and maybe there are worse things than being the last person on earth.

When a friendless old widow dies in the seaside town of Crythin, a young solicitor is sent by his firm to settle the estate. The lawyer finds the townspeople reluctant to talk about or go near the woman's dreary home and no one will explain or even acknowledge the menacing woman in black he keeps seeing.