Tartt masterfully portrays a group of Classics students, set apart by their intellectual pursuits and yearning for a more profound existence. Their fascination with ancient Greek culture, philosophy, and rituals leads them to seek transcendence from the mundane. However, their pursuit of the extraordinary quickly spirals into a dangerous obsession, blurring the lines between right and wrong, and culminating in tragedy.

The novel delves into the characters' struggle to cope with the overwhelming guilt and haunting memories of their actions. Narrated by Richard, a student drawn into the group's inner circle, the story unfolds with a constant sense of foreboding. Past events weigh heavily on the present, impacting their relationships and individual psyches. Tartt explores the themes of self-deception, the unreliable nature of memory, and the impossibility of escaping one's past.

The characters are captivated by beauty in its various forms – art, literature, music, and even their own idealized image. This appreciation for aesthetics becomes a defining characteristic of the group, shaping their worldview and influencing their choices. However, Tartt challenges the notion of beauty as inherently good, demonstrating how it can be distorted and manipulated to justify morally questionable actions.