"Madeline Dames moves to a small town in the Missouri Ozarks to get over the death of her third husband, but instead finds herself reliving another past. Her damaged sister shows up at her doorstep, having changed her name to Misery, and as soon as Misery settles in, their abusive mother appears. When Madeline's new beau, Randy, brings a young couple to her home, claiming they need a place to stay, Madeline agrees, only to find the man is a deserter. What ensues is a desperate plan at escape, vindication, and discovery"--Back cover.