In 1850, a rising tide of evil plagues a small Indiana town. Only one woman's long-buried secrets can stop it. But revealing them will spell her doom. In the years since her father disappeared and her mother perished under suspicious circumstances, Emily Hampshire has endured relentless scrutiny in New Harmony. Yearning to simply blend in and finally escape the gossip and glances, she strives for the expected-get married and live an uneventful life. But when Emily finally falls in love, everything falls apart. A brutal murder thrusts her once again into the center of scandal and terror. The townspeople blame a monstrous beast, but Emily has hidden the truth for years in her quest for stability. The real demon is human, power-hungry, and allied with dark forces. Though devastated by grief and terror, she must confront this true villain, or the rampage will devour more innocent lives. As Emily gathers the courage to pit herself against ancient sorcery, one thing is certain. She'll finally break free of her tragic past-either in truth or in death. Fans of Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norell and the imaginative realms of C.S. Lewis will relish in this captivating American blend of mystery, magic, and machinations.