Taylor Royce is the strait-laced preacher who is an easy mark for his twin brother's femme-fatale wife, Brenda. But she has more than an extra-marital affair on her mind as she manipulates the preacher into stealing money from his church. Events soon spiral out of control as more infidelities are revealed and a random murder spree occurs in the noir-type thriller.

In this captivating Depression-era melodrama, impetuous veterinary student Jacob Jankowski joins a celebrated circus as an animal caretaker but faces a wrenching dilemma when he's transfixed by angelic married performer Marlena.