“Every book that Mary Alice Monroe has written has felt like a homecoming to me.” —Pat Conroy, bestselling author of The Prince of Tides With the warmth of the South and the insight of a seasoned storyteller, Mary Alice Monroe delivers a moving tale of healing, friendship, and the powerful bonds that tie us to each other and the natural world. Recovering from breast cancer and reeling from her husband's infidelity, Mia Landan flees her Charleston home for the mountains near Asheville, North Carolina, and takes refuge in a neglected cabin recently inherited by her fly-fishing instructor, Belle Carson. The cabin once belonged to Belle’s grandmother—the legendary fly fisher and journalist of the 1920s, Kate Watkins, whose life fell into ruins after she was accused of murdering her lover, a scandal that plagued Belle’s family for generations. But Mia is compelled to find out more about Kate…especially when she discovers Kate's journal. The inspiring words of the remarkable woman echo across the years. Mia has been finding new strength and profound challenges in fly-fishing, and Kate's wise words comparing life to a river resonate deeply. As she separates the truth from the lies behind Kate’s fall from grace, Mia feels a strange kinship with Kate, who suffered fears, betrayal, and heartwrenching loss—yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness. A story timeless in its appeal emerges, with a power that brings a transforming healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants, and for all those in Mia's new community. She begins a quest to uncover the truth behind the lies. As she searches newspaper archives and listens to the colorful memories of the local small-town residents, the story of a proud, fiercely independent woman emerges. Mia feels a strange kinship with the woman who, like her, suffered fears, betrayal, the death of loved ones, and a fall from grace -- yet found strength, compassion and, ultimately, forgiveness in her isolation. A story timeless in its appeal emerges, with a power that reopens old wounds, but also brings a transforming healing for Mia, for Kate's descendants, and for all those in Mia's new community.