This work investigates the clandestine romantic relationship between Austin Dickinson and Mabel Loomis Todd, examining how their affair influenced the social and literary landscape of Amherst, Massachusetts. Polly Longsworth, a scholar of the Dickinson family, utilizes a vast collection of private correspondence and historical records to reconstruct the timeline of this illicit partnership. The book argues that the affair was not merely a personal scandal but a significant event that intersected with the preservation and eventual publication of Emily Dickinson's poetry.

Historians and literary scholars frequently cite this work as a primary resource for understanding the personal life of Austin Dickinson and the role of Mabel Loomis Todd in the Dickinson legacy. Readers often note the academic rigor of the research while appreciating the accessibility of the primary source materials presented.