Driven by the promise of hidden wealth, sixteen-year-old Billie Beede initiates a chaotic quest to exhume her deceased mother and claim a rumored fortune. Billie, pregnant and abandoned by her lover, seeks to escape the cycle of poverty defining her family, the Beedes. She enlists her eccentric relatives in a desperate road trip to recover a pearl necklace and diamond ring supposedly buried with her mother, Willa Mae. The narrative navigates the tension between the family's desperate aspirations and the harsh realities of 1950s Southern life, utilizing a multi-perspective approach that highlights the distinct voices of the Beede clan.

This novel is often noted for its distinct voice and its ability to balance heavy thematic material with a sense of dark, comedic momentum. Critics frequently highlight the author's background as a playwright, noting how the dialogue-heavy sections and sharp characterizations bring the Beede family to life. The work is compared to classic Southern literature for its earthiness and its unflinching look at the struggles of its protagonists. Readers generally find the narrative structure engaging, as it allows for a multifaceted view of the central treasure hunt and the family's internal conflicts. The story remains a notable example of contemporary fiction that examines the intersection of hope and desperation in a specific historical context.