When Pearl Tull’s husband, Beck, abandons her she pours her energies into preserving normality. It’s only later that her three children realise their father is gone for good.

Now, as Pearl lies on her deathbed, the impact of Beck’s abrupt departure unspools: on Cody who never overcomes his anger, on mild Ezra who must always keep the peace, and on bright, errant Jenny. And so the secrets, memories and anguish of the Tull family begin their rise to the surface.