1953. Ricochet, Washington. Three thirteen-year-old girls embark on a rabbit-raising project for 4H; a project that will change their lives and the way they view the quirky inhabitants of their provincial little town on the Columbia River. Tallulah, Penny, and Clover are as different from one another as the sour apple soup is from the sweet butter bean pie Tully's mother concocts at the Parsley Cafe. Tully is feisty and full of spit and vinegar; Clover, a privileged snob; and Penny lives a timid existence on the dodgy edge of town with her alcoholic father. Even so, the three misfits are thrown together in a scheme to get out of school a week early by showing their rabbits at the county fair. Spearheaded by Tully, they form The Byers Avenue Bunny Club and begin a series of adventures that Tully, aware of the importance of teamwork, hopes will unify the peculiar group and help them reach their goal. Their first escapade is a maiden voyage down Black Bottom Creek, during which they learn little about boating but a great deal about trust and loyalty. And they'll need every bit of that when they're faced with abuse and then murder. Do the girls have enough courage to confront their fears? And will the odd little band of friends live to look back at the sinister events of the year that changed everything they were sure of?"