Set in Louisiana in the 1900s, Arletta lives on the other side of the tracks with her Mambo. When her grandfather dies, 8 year old Arletta is left to fend for herself as her mother flits from one beau to another, or is called to help her people with her voodoo skills. Even at that age, Arletta knows that some footsteps heard crossing the tracks mean she has to run and hide, but sometimes she doesn't hear them until it's too late.

When the horrors of what she is forced to endure gets to be too much for her, she runs down to the creek and seeks solace from a spirit who gives her strength. One day she draws upon this strength to do what she must to stop the torture. While her life takes a turn for the positive, she turns her back on her voodoo heritage and walks down a different path for herself.

But when she hears of another child lying in hospital, perhaps at the hands of the same men who had violated her, the spirit who has always guided her, helps her face her fears and break her silence.

The characters are extremely well developed in this multifaceted and gritty story. ( )