Queen Bee

The first trip that young Chicagoan Jennifer Stewart ever makes to the South is to Phillips House, the home of her middle-aged cousin Eva Phillips, who has acted as her benefactress for most of her life. Eva has invited her--and this visit will be the first time she's ever met her. Phillips House has long been the home for the Phillips family: Avery "Beauty" Phillips, Eva's husband, so nicknamed because of the scar across his face sustained long ago in a car accident; and Beauty's sister Carol Lee Phillips, who still lives at the house. Jennifer is quickly introduced to many of the Phillips' friends and associates, most of whom are cordial toward her. Ty McKinnon in particular is attracted to her, and Eva ultimately fosters their courtship. The one person who isn't friendly toward Jennifer is alcoholic Beauty, who seems to resent her visit. However, when Jennifer first meets Eva, she notices that Eva places a pall over the room; even Beauty seems to despise her. Despite these feelings by the others, Jennifer is enamored on first sight with her cousin. She quickly learns of the figuratively incestuous relationship they all have with one another. But based on warnings from Carol, Jennifer soon sees what the others do: that Eva is much like a queen bee who must take control for her own benefit and will destroy anyone in her way. Jennifer eventually gets caught up in the goings-on at Phillips House and she herself might be destroyed in the process if the queen bee has her way--especially because what Jennifer wants more than anything else at Phillips House is.... Beauty.