Introduction and Plot
"Oh, God, help me," I cried after two pages. "How many adjectives and adjective phrases does Ms.Roberts need to set the mood and scene of Louisiana? Maybe this is necessary for non-residents, but not for me. I feel like all these desrcriptions are hanging on me like sweat on a sultry day - uncomfortable and unfightable. And that's just the prologue.
Chapter 1 begins on December 30, 1899. Abigail Manet is waiting for her husband, Lucian, to return and they will bring in the new century together. Abigail is not only a new wife in the family, including mother-in-law, Josephine, and twin brother of her husband, Julian, but is also a former undermaid in the wealthy Manet household. Abigail is adored by Lucian, the older brother and heir apparent to the family wealth and Manet Hall, but resented by her Josephine and Julian, who consider her a "swamp slut."
Abigail and Lucian have had a child, Marie Rose. This New Year's Eve, Abigail is breastfeeding her child when she is interrupted by a drunk and violent Julian returning home from a brothel. Deadly violence ensues and the Manet family is never the same. Marie Rose ends up returned the swamp to her other grandparents. While Marie Rose grows up, the Manet household crumbles, as does their home, Manet Hall.
And in the 21st century, this story is told from the perspective of the male hero, Declan Fitzgerald, a wealthy Boston attorney, who is inexplicably drawn to purchase the allegedly haunted plantation home in disrepair. He begins restoration of the mansion and other characters are drawn to the mansion.
The descendants of Marie Rose, live on a back road near the mansion. Lena, the great-great granddaughter of Marie Rose becomes love interest of Declan and the heroine in this tale.
The 21st century characters seem to have the memories of the 19th century inhabitants of Manet Hall. Abigail and Lucian's bedroom is seen furnished as it was 100 years earlier. The cries of baby Marie Rose are often heard from the 3rd floor nursery. As Declan continues work on the mansion, the memories flood into his mind. He is often weak and frightened, but determines to continue his work as an act of making right past wrongs.
Lena and others share similar experiences of "re-living" the past, some to the point of "re-enacting" the horrible arguments of the past. Declan and Lena identify the "characters" they are playing and the novel peaks as the characters from the past learn the truth of what happened to each family member and are able to heal the misunderstandings their spirits have carried within their dead hearts for over 100 years.
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