He himself is quick to note that if a movie viewer notices his music, he hasn’t done it properly, which pretty much sums up the man himself: he is certainly visible, but does not seek the spotlight. Lowndes has lived in the Los Angeles area for nearly a quarter-century, but as BEFORE THE POISON begins, he is returning to his native Yorkshire environs in an attempt to recover from the death of his beloved wife. He buys a rambling, isolated mansion known as Kilnsgate House, a residence seemingly perfect for him to compose music in relative silence. Yet he senses a presence in the house, not necessarily of a ghost or spirit, but nonetheless detectable.