Elephantasm

Sixteen-year-old Annie Ember lives in grinding poverty in the city...until one day in a mysterious shop she discovers a tiny and ancient ivory elephant. The subsequent murder of her sister's husband leaves Annie homeless, and she is found employment in a country house far away. Sir Hampton Smolte returned from India with a great fortune--and also a dark obsession with that conquered land. His mansion is fanciful and extraordinary, like a raja's palace set down in green English parkland. Annie becomes a scullery maid in this strange place full of stuffed animals, eccentric servants, and the even more peculiar Smolte family. Soon she catches the eye of the handsome Rupert, and gradually succumbs to his advances...till one night she learns in disgust and horror just what his lovemaking entails. Annie's helpless fury then transforms this dream-house into a whirlwind of panic and the impossible...letting in all the avenging power of the jungle, and unlocking Hampton Smolte's darkest secrets. Synopsis - Annie Ember lives in hopeless poverty with her sister Rose and her wicked brother-in-law...until the day that Annie discovers the mysterious exotic shop where she buys, for one penny, a tiny and ancient ivory elephant. Soon afterwards a grisly murder leaves Annie without home or family, but employment is found for her in a country house far away. Sir Hampton Smolte made his fortune out in India, and has brought back not only his wealth but also an obsessive hatred towards that conquered land where he once commanded a mercenary army. His mansion is fanciful and extraordinary, all scarlet and gold, like a fairy tale raja’s palace set down in green English parkland. There Annie is to become a drudge – a scullery maid in this house full of stuffed animals, eccentric servants, and the even more peculiar Smolte family. But soon she catches the eye of the handsome Rupert who, like his father, retains a fascination with India. Entranced, she succumbs to his attentions – till one night she learns in disgust and terror just what his lovemaking entails... Annie’s fear and helpless fury provide the catalyst which will turn this dream house into a place of panic and the impossible – letting in all the power of the jungle, and unlocking the darkest secrets of Hampton Smolte’s beginnings.