For decades ethel davis hopper, known by everyone around town as a poison-dripper and a control freak, collected what she considered to be valuable collectibles and antiques. recently deceased, this self-appointed matriarch in the family forced her house and contents upon her favorite granddaughter, a minister's wife who lives in london--rachel and james campbell. the young couple with their two small children have arrived for a month of vacation which has always begun with ethel's family reunion. but this year things are very different. ethel dies and the campbells become only too aware of just how expense this property will be to keep. the put the house on the market at a time when properties are not selling well and decide to auction off the contents--a house filled by pack-rat ethel. they hire a local auctioneer upon the advice of a few local people--and soon regret having done so. in addition, rachel's divorced parents arrive unannounced, both alcoholics. one has a long-held secret that will be revealed--adding more anxiety to an already distraught rachel. and as if that is not enough, a distant relative becomes enraged about the sale and threatens legal action. it is a wet, cold summer in vermont--and one that readers will long remember as they settle in at a country auction.