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Ella and her husband, Cole, buy a few properties in Kansas City's inner city, including an apartment building. They have a dream to fix up run-down neighborhoods and provide comfortable, affordable housing to both Caucasians and African Americans. Ella does most of the management of the properties as Cole is often away. This gives her the opportunity to relate to a variety of people in the area, from crooks to cops, druggies to housewives. She makes some friends, but not everyone in the area is happy with the new residents. During their time in Kansas City, the couple see their friend in the police department arrest a serial rapist and cross paths with a mobster running a gambling ring. Ella’s vision of an inner-city utopia is much more difficult than she imagined.
Ziock’s novel is a personal drama that includes touches of a crime thriller. Part of the time, the story focuses on Ella’s inner life while she navigates the stresses of marriage and keeping her apartments full of respectable, responsible tenants. There is also some time spent on Ella’s troubles with alcohol and the temptation of being unfaithful. At other times, the narrative focuses on the criminal elements in the area and how their dealings affect her acquaintances. Most of these sections don’t actively include Ella, focusing instead on secondary characters. The inclusion of so many elements will be a selling point for many readers. However, this broad view tends to come at the cost of details and character development. Overall, though, this is a book that will likely appeal to those who gravitate toward works that address the need for change within the nation’s inner cities.