First published 2003
Abigail Howland stands alone in the family house that has sheltered seven generations of her lineage since the early 1800s. The Howlands have long served as respected pillars of their Southern community, but now angry voices gather outside. Shocking revelations about her deceased grandfather William have surfaced. His relationship with Margaret Carmichael, the black woman who kept house for the family, has become public knowledge. The town that once honored the Howland name now turns its rage on Abigail. She feels the sting of betrayal from those she trusted, yet something hardens within her. The community that seeks to destroy her family's reputation will face her retribution. In this house built by her ancestors, Abigail must decide how far she will go to protect her legacy and punish those who have wronged her kin.
Genres: american-fiction, 20th-century, family-drama, african-american-historical-fiction
Vibes: atmospheric, emotional, thought-provoking
Tropes: family-drama, small-town
Setting: Southern Community
Period: Early 1800s
320 pages · Paperback · Vintage
Content warnings: racism