Danielle is the inquisitive, impressionable daughter of an affluent religious black family living in LeBluff, Louisiana. Her placid childhood is disrupted when her much older sister's boyfriend, James, seduces her. To conceal an illegitimate pregnancy by him she marries and as a result soon becomes victim to his unpredictable temper and deviant sexual appetite. Each time she thinks she is gaining control and will escape she is deceived yet again and sinks deeper into her husband's web of debauchery.

Finally, putting everything on the line she unsuccessfully plots to kill him. Fortunately,...