During a counseling session Joan Pearl reveals to her psychologist, Dr. Becca Grove, that her husband Spence is a billionaire. Becca, who is immoral and greedy, conjures up a plan to exacerbate Joan's relationship with her husband with the intent of encouraging her to divorce so that she herself could marry Spence. Despite complications Becca pursues her devious plan. On the couple's vacation to Australia, Joan, who is a librarian, meets the Australian Sherilee-also a librarian-and they form a strong sisterly bond. They develop the entrepreneurial idea to be partners in the creation of the largest mystery bookstore in the world. When Spence refuses to part with monies that would facilitate their enterprise, they nevertheless persist in their plans. Becca moves from her expensive apartment on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue to a Brooklyn basement apartment. The pandemic and its consequences begin