Upon graduation from high school, Debbie Van Buren's life came crashing down when her dear mother passed away, when she escaped from the clutches of her lecherous stepfather and when her money was stolen. And then she met a man. Debbie has led a life of cloak and dagger ever since and now constantly watches her back. However, she loves and feels safe with her delightful San Diego neighbor, elderly Edith Balmer. While entertaining one afternoon, Edith Balmer's luncheon guests encourage her to enlighten them about three mysterious deaths that occurred at the turn of the century in her rural area of Pennsylvania. She finally relents and describes unexpected inheritances, steamy sex, love affairs, constables, mountain shacks, a hidden still, fire and charismatic down home folks. Touchingly human characters will capture and entertain you throughout this novel.