The emotional equivalent of a category 6 hurricane is raging through the small southern town of Barksdale in the form of a rumor that a provocative African American newcomer might be of supernatural origin. Lives are being turned around, upside down, and inside out, including: A wealthy self-righteous Uncle Tom hiding the fact that he can't read or write; a bigoted school board official whose daughter is in love with his son; a corrupt sheriff hiding a dark secret that could put him away for life and cancel his chance for eternal life; a slick preacher sleeping around with women and men, spreading the gospel along with a deadly disease; and, most remarkable, a man who many believe to be a modern day Lazarus.