The death of Vernon Proctor, the oldest of three illiterate brothers living on primitive farm in upstate New York, sets off a wave of suspicion and accusations in the community, and complicates the work of state trooper Del Graham, who must look at Creed and the feeble-minded Audie as suspects.

The tiny town of Three Chimneys, Virginia becomes the focus of media attention when dog trainer Manda Frank gives birth to eleven babies, and the resulting visit by presidential candidate Adams Brooke inspires struggling cheesemaker Margaret Prickett, an avid Brooke supporter, to re-create for him the 1,235-pound of Chelshire made by Thomas Jefferson's fans and transported to Washington in 1801.