In the late 1850s in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, 16-year-old Polly King marries 19-year-old John Justice, known as the Peacemaker for his skill in settling disputes. Soon, however, they clash. He's a violent alcoholic who wants her home but Polly's devoted to helping the sick and delivering babes, her calling since she killed her sister when she was 11.
Polly's mentored by granny woman Nan Clark. While collecting herbs, they find a skeleton. Sam Edney, sheriff in Blue Ridge and Polly's former beau, examines the crushed skull and says the man was murdered. This is the first in a string of murders that Polly tries to solve.
The only clues seem to be black feathers and a horseshoe boot print near the bodies.
After seeing Sam again, Polly realizes she still loves him. They begin a secret affair two years later and ultimately Polly bears his son.
Though her life is difficult and John's abuse worsens, Polly finds support in friendship with Candy, Nan's granddaughter. Polly is also close to Keera Kelly, an Irish girl who Polly sees as a sister. Keera shows promise as a healer and midwife and they often work together.
Candy leaves Blue Ridge to find a cure for her syphilis and Sam is conscripted into the Rebel army. Polly waits for Sam but hears he died. But there is good news. With the onset of war, the murders have stopped and Candy soon returns home with a wealthy husband.
In April 1865, Union General Stoneman's troops ride through Blue Ridge. Soldiers hold a gun on John, forcing him to saddle and bridle Blackjack, Polly's beloved horse.
Polly soon delivers Keera's baby, a child with John's purple birthmark. Polly then helps Keera leave Blue Ridge and move to Charleston where she'll be safe from John.
While Polly's home alone, her brother-in-law Davey Mack and a friend burst in. Both seriously injured. While treating Davey Mack, Polly sees a horseshoe on the bottom of his boot, identifying him as the murderer. He tells her that his friend had given him the boots a week prior. Polly poisons the man with a Pokeberry tincture, finally stopping the murder in Blue Ridge.
John, now terrified of Polly, quits drinking and starts preaching. But Polly is done. She no longer fears John but fears what she might do to him. She goes to live with Candy at her mansion Charlemont. It's the place where she'll always be loved.
外文書商品之書封，為出版社提供之樣本。實際出貨商品，以出版社所提供之現有版本為主。部份書籍，因出版社供應狀況特殊，匯率將依實際狀況做調整。
無庫存之商品，在您完成訂單程序之後，將以空運的方式為你下單調貨。為了縮短等待的時間，建議您將外文書與其他商品分開下單，以獲得最快的取貨速度，平均調貨時間為1~2個月。
為了保護您的權益，「三民網路書店」提供會員七日商品鑑賞期(收到商品為起始日)。
若要辦理退貨，請在商品鑑賞期內寄回，且商品必須是全新狀態與完整包裝(商品、附件、發票、隨貨贈品等)否則恕不接受退貨。
