Set in 1946 North Carolina, this vibrant historical debut follows a young seamstress, Maddie Sykes, who uncovers unsettling truths about the Big Tobacco empire that dominates the region. Arriving in Bright Leaf, a town filled with beautiful socialites and opulent dresses, Maddie is captivated by the prosperity after years of war shortages. Her aunt's successful sewing business connects her to the wives of powerful tobacco executives, who become her glamorous clientele. As Maddie unexpectedly takes on the role of lead dressmaker for the town's influential women, she learns that Bright Leaf is not the idyllic paradise it appears to be. A string of misfortunes, including serious health issues among the women, raises her suspicions. Initially dismissing these as mere coincidences, Maddie's discoveries lead her to question the safety of the very industry that sustains their livelihoods. Caught between her desire to expose the truth and her fear of jeopardizing the lives of the women she has grown close to, Maddie's journey reveals the hidden history of women's activism in the post-war era. This compelling narrative explores themes of courage, connection, and the pursuit of truth in the face of corporate greed, making it a poignant tale for contemporary readers.
