In 1931 the body of a young woman was found on a lonely beach on Long Island. There were signs that she was raped and murdered. She was identified as Starr Faithful the daughter of a prominent New England family. It was then discovered that Starr was also promiscuous and disturbed. She was also sexually molested as a child by a politician friend of the family. Palmer created from the fact a haughnting narrative told in the voices of starr hersel and her insecure mother. This is a tale of blackmail, sexual manipulation, and family dysfunction.