1830s Birch Falls, Vermont One by one Jerusha Kendall's siblings fall victim to consumption, the scourge of the 19th century. Devastated by the loss of her children, Jerusha's mother Mary is horrified over the outlandish folk remedy proposed by her dearest friend, Lavinia. Unable to divert the people of Birch Falls from carrying out Lavinia's ghastly plan, Mary succeeds only in convincing them never to let Jerusha find out what they've done. But Jerusha knows a secret is being kept from her, and she is determined to uncover it. 1973 Middlebury, Vermont Newly-minted folklorist Charlotte Lajoie accepts the position of Assistant Director at the New England Folklife Museum, the perfect first step in her career. But her sexist boss uses her to hide his incompetence and steal her ideas. Charlotte's misery at work is assuaged only by a gift from her grandmother - the diary of their ancestor, Jerusha Kendall. Fascinated, Charlotte suspects that her family may have been involved in the 19th century's New England Vampire Panic. Her discoveries could prove to be a goldmine for her career but only if she can outwit her jealous boss and pacify a vengeful ghost.