John Broderick, 'Copper John', likes to think of himself as master of the countryside around his mansion of Clonmere. He is proud to feel that his energy and foresight are producing work for the feckless Irish (as he considers them to be), and he loves the source of his wealth and power - Hungry Hill, the coppermine which he has developed despite the bitter opposition of the community. Smuggling, stealing cattle, fishing in forbidden waters - that is how they have always earned their livelihod; and now, in the eighteen-twenties, they see no reason to bow to this alien master who seeks to change their lives.

The development of the mine is especially resented by the Donovans, who once owned Clonmere castle and all the land around. The feud between the two families has simmered for generations, and now it breaks out into open warfare.

Hungry Hill is voracious indeed, gobbling up innocent people who are caught in the battle. Nor does prosperity mean happiness for Broderick, who sees his children destroyed by his ambition, with the curse of the Hill striking down successive generations.

Tha narrative spans a hundred years of Brodericks and Donovans, a rich and exciting tale which shows Daphne du Maurier's gift's as a story-teller at their most compelling.

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