Albert Cavens

Mae Doyle comes back to her hometown a cynical woman. Her brother Joe fears that his love, fish cannery worker Peggy, may wind up like Mae. Mae marries Jerry and has a baby; she is happy but restless, drawn to Jerry's friend Earl.

Claude is a ruthless and efficient contract killer - until he finds his next target is a woman.

In 1854 Mississippi, honest riverboat card gambler Mark Fallon wins young Laurent Dureau's diamond necklace, a family heirloom which, in the end, will bring him happiness and tragedy alike.