Norah Maguire hasnt had enough.

Shes one of those people who defies description, and shes perfectly fine with being a bit of an enigma. Frustrated by the limitations of her working-class, Connecticut existence and ready to make a change, Norah takes her UConn diploma in hand1965 will be her year.

With dreams of a more fulfilling life, she packs up her belongings and heads to Los Angeles, determined to make her dreams of being a writer a reality. Her first win is a job at a small-circulation newspaper, where she finds more than just a paycheck. Under the careful direction of Gregory, her mentor and soon-to-be lover, her list of accomplishments grows. But there is another who has taken an interest in young Norah, a mysterious man who may or may not have diabolical plans for her.

To escape the stresses of her life, Norah leans on her new circle of friends—including Toni, another young writer, and Adam, her high-school sweetheart—for support. As the 1970s begin, Norah's path to success and worldwide recognition seems unstoppable. Against the backdrop of the unforgettable, real-life events that shocked the nation and world, these people experience it all on a smaller, more human scale—including the rise and fall of lives driven by ambition, courage, passion, sacrifice, and, ultimately, evil.

At the end of the day, will Norah accept or fight the inevitable realization that success often comes with a price too high to pay?