When the local historical society chooses another family as the subject for a book on the townas beginnings, Crystal Sands Marshall hires her own writer and sets off to collect the necessary records from her eccentric sister, Iris, who has not left the family home since their mother died five years before. When Iris fails to answer the door, Crystal breaks in and finds her sister unconscious on the kitchen floor. Fearing Iris has attempted suicide, Crystal delays the sheriffas investigation until she can search the house. She discovers Irisas diaries and learns her mother committed murder to protect the family name. As even more horrible secrets are revealed, Crystal is faced with the same choice: murder or public ruin. Is this truly a case of like mother, like daughter?