Headless dolls, horse races, and arson-the tools of passion. It's 1899, and Caroline Corbett is ready for the twentieth century. She's excited to find work and meet new people-but gets more than expected when a rough-hewn Lowcountry farmer and a small-town doctor both engage her affections. The broad-shouldered, genial farmer is clear about his desires, and he's there for her. The doctor is sophisticated, educated, and obviously the right choice-but sees no reason to dwell on certain realities. In trying to decide between them, Caroline fails to consider the girl Jessie. A young sociopath bent on her own way, Jessie Bell sees very good reasons to dredge up unpleasant realities-and to create new ones. Before long, this South Carolina landscape is riddled with the detritus of her intense jealousies, which have set astonishing and horrifying events into motion.