Three young female academics design daring, boundary-pushing gamesuntil one of them goes too far, in this contemporary thriller by an acclaimed Columbia University professor. Three young womenscholarly Ruth, poet Lucy, and the provocative visiting Swedish scholar Annaare obsessed with games of all kinds, devoting themselves to the academic study of play as well as designing games inspired by the secret history of the neighborhood around Columbia University, from Grant's Tomb to the former insane asylum. When Anna's mysterious brother Anders gets involved, introducing live-action role-playing (LARP) based on classic Greek tragedy, the games become even more excitingand deadly.