Journalist Ruth Cairns is given the job of writing about a weight loss programme at the Chesterton Clinic, a place with a strange reputation. After checking into the Clinic, Ruth investigates rumours of limbless torsos and body snatching.

Estate agent Norman Shenley has a dream about murdering his plain, bad-tempered wife, which leaves him free to chase his secretary, Lolly. Later that day, a man approaches Norman wanting to sell an old house called Lower Moat Manor. From that point on, real life and fantasy start to become intertwined...

Charlie Willoughby tries to rape Penny, an unstable young American living in England, and in defending herself she shoots and kills him. Her boyfriend, Harry, helps Penny cover things up and buries Charlie's body in the woods. Then, however, Penny thinks she hears and sees Charlie, still alive - but a trickster is up to no good and wants something from Penny.