It was a matter of chance that I should have rented a house in one of the strangest communities in North America. It was on that slender riotous island which extends itself due east of New York—and where there are, among other natural curiosities, two unusual formations of land. Based on the author's description of Long Island, the reader can infer that this novel will relate events about unconventional individuals. relate events that occur directly within the city of New York. relate events that are supernatural and terrifying in nature. relate events having to do with highly privileged individuals.