Johanna never thought of herself as a martyr, much less a saint, but when her parents contracted TB she sold herself into indentured service to provide for them. No good deed goes unpunished and Johanna's decision results in years of abuse at the hands of a cruel master.
Over time Johanna slowly heals after being rescued and spirited far away from her abusers. It would seem Johanna's trials are far behind her, but fate has other plans. Johanna's new friends convince her to return with them to the city. Johanna grows more confident after becoming involved with a women's group working for prohibition, the right to vote, and the exoneration of Catherine Snow, a woman on trial for the murder of her husband. Tensions escalate when a group of men descend on the building where the women are gathered intent on bringing an end to their activities. Added to Johanna's anxiety is the hatred of a former coworker, Robin Bouchard.
Johanna has survived much in her young life and overcome many obstacles but will she survive the vengeance that Robin is planning to wreak?