Manchester 1867. Mara longs for a peaceful life free of violence and poverty. But she has married into the O'Hara family who have a reputation for their drunkenness and quick tempers. Her eldest stepson Conrad is the worst of them all - a brute and a criminal who makes Mara's life a misery. But then Conrad is accused of a crime he didn't commit and Mara is the only one who can prove his innocence. Perhaps this is her chance to finally free her family from his toxic influence . . . Will Mara clear Conrad's name or will she have the courage to break free from her stepson's villainy?