The novel introduces Maggie, who only recently became widowed, which is why she had to become the chief of the Native American community called the Otter Lake. Maggie is also a mother of a teenage son called Virgil. Virgil is coping with the death of his father on his own, since his mother is never around because of her obligations. Maggie, on the other hand, soon realized the gravity of the responsibility of being a chief and having to meet everyone’s expectations.
Virgil is plagued by another hardship in his life. Right before his grandmother’s passing, a white man riding a motorcycle came to say goodbye to her, and Virgil accidentally discovered that the two had a romantic relationship. The main issue arose when John, the said white man, refuses to leave Otter Lake even after Virgil’s grandmother passed. He made himself comfortable in his home, as if he’s a part of his family.
Deciding to not endure this any longer, Virgil decides to shun him out of the community with the help of his uncle Wayne, who is a self-proclaimed martial artist. As the novel progresses, the supernatural aspect of the indigenous culture comes to play. John is revealed to be a trickster spirit, who takes on various forms and embraces the role of a hero.
Parallel to this, some aspects of Virgil’s grandmother’s life are revealed, how she went to a local school and suffered abuse and scrutiny. The novel also shows the community aspects of Otter Lake and the familial bonds.
