New York Times bestselling author Mary Monroe crafts a provocative story set in the Depression-era Deep South about a woman determined to get the life and respect she wants-at any cost…

Secrets, lies, and family drama in the Depression-era Deep South…

The daughter of a prostitute mother and an alcoholic father, Maggie Franklin knew her only way out was to marry someone upstanding and church-going. Someone like Hubert Wiggins, the most eligible man in Lexington, Alabama-and the son of its most revered preacher. Proper and prosperous, Hubert is glad to finally have a wife, even one with Maggie’s background. For Hubert has a secret he desperately needs to stay hidden. And Maggie’s unexpected charm, elegance, and religious devotion makes her the perfect partner in lies…

Their surprising union makes the Wiggins’ the town’s most envied couple-complete with a son, Claude, whom Maggie idolizes. Until he falls in love with the worst possible fiancee. Terrified, Maggie won’t let Daisy destroy her son. And when her employer’s brother sexually harasses her, Maggie knows something needs to be done about him as well. In fact, she realizes there are an awful lot of sinning disruptive people who should be eliminated from her perfect world.

But the more Maggie tries to take control, the more obstacles are thrown in her way. And when it seems like the one person she always expected to be there is starting to drift away, Maggie will play one final, merciless game to secure what she’s fought so hard to earn…