Doreen Trahan a recent widow in her mid-thirties from New Jersey - naive, socially challenged and of very moderate means - is invited to visit Rive Perdue, Louisiana by her wealthy sister-in-law Lois Trahan. Through a bi-weekly women's club called "Every Other Thursday" dedicated to "educational presentations" Lois introduces Doreen to her closest friends. With style and humor, they welcome Doreen and attempt to take her under their wings, encouraging her to break out of her shell. While in Rive Perdue Doreen learns dark secrets about her late husband including he fathered a child who was put up for adoption and living in Rive Perdue. The women's club, "Every Other Thursday" is torn apart; marriages are tested; people even die. In the wake of a sensational trial, townspeople lose their life savings and wealthy people go to prison.