First published in 1956, Peyton Place uncovers the passions, lies, and cruelties that simmer beneath the surface of a postcard-perfect town. At the center of the novel are three women, each with a secret to hide:

Constance MacKenzie, the original desperate housewife; her daughter Allison, whose dreams are stifled by small-town small-mindedness; and Selena Cross, her gypsy-eyed friend from the wrong side of the tracks.

This novel is a deep dive into the hidden truths and societal norms of 1950s America, capturing the essence of a seemingly idyllic community fraught with underlying tension and drama.