November 1949: In the aftermath of his brother James's death, Richard MacEwan's life suddenly is rocked by secrets involving his wife Sarah and daughter Anna. Among his bachelor brother's papers, Richard discovers a letter from Sarah, hinting at an infidelity. Then Anna becomes involved with a married man, Charles Norden-an affair that will threaten her life and change it forever. Richard, Sarah, Anna, and Charles-along with the troubling legacy of James-drive the plot of this novel: a story of faith and doubt, profound moral and spiritual conflict, and the intricate bonds that hold families together.