In this erotic, American tale of intrigue, adultery, and murder, after many, many years absence, a handsome young man, Todd, comes to a rich estate in Santa Barbara, California where his mother, (Louise Fletcher), works as a live-in housekeeper. The estate is the home of a beautiful wife, Julia (Barbara Carrera), and her much-older, domineering, wealthy husband, who is consumed with his work. Unbeknownst to Todd, she is having an affair with police Detective Michael Parkinson. Despite his mother's warnings not to get too close to Julia, when Todd moves into the estate, he begins his own affair with Julia, unaware that she and the detective have been planning to kill the husband.