It's 1843, and Grace Marks has been convicted for her involvement in the vicious murders of her employer and his housekeeper. Some believe Grace is innocent; others think her evil or insane. Female fiend? Femme fatale? Or weak and unwilling victim? Around the true story of one of the most enigmatic and notorious women of the 1840s, Margaret Atwood has created an extraordinarily potent tale of sexuality, cruelty and mystery.