Shy and awkward, ruthlessly ridiculed by other children and carelessly treated by adults, Claudia Fryar flees her hometown of Philadelphia after her father's death. But years of shame and silent suffering as the love child of the respectedand marriedLouis Harrison finally come to a raging boil when Harrison's jealous widow cheats Claudia out of her inheritance.
Twice-scorned, Claudia transforms herself into Peach Harrison: bold, beautifuland sinister. Now a successful newscaster, Peach makes a triumphant return to Philadelphia, to the welcoming arms of those who once cast her aside. But as Peach puts her "big payback" scheme into action, she realizes that revenge comes with some serious costs of its own.