In the midst of the events leading up to the Black Power Movement in Trinidad in 1970, thirteen year-old Alex Donaldson struggles to get comfortable in her own skin. She’d give anything to have a lighter, beautiful complexion like her mother and two siblings. One stormy night, she and Granddad discover that a Soucouyant is living down the road. Soucouyants suck people’s blood like vampires. With a kiss, they take control of a person.

It’s best to ignore them; chances are they’ll return the favor. Then her brother does the one thing she cannot resist. He dares her to get the Soucouyant skin.

Alex’s attempt to acquire the skin brings her to the attention of Mrs. Henry. To make things worse, Alex learns that Mrs. Henry used to be Granddad’s girlfriend. Mrs. Henry wastes no time in giving Granddad a peck on the cheek and worms her way back into his heart. 

Though wary of Mrs. Henry, Alex finds her intriguing. Mrs. Henry is everything Alex dislikes about herself: dark complexioned, big breasted, plump. But that doesn’t bother her. She walks with pride and confidence. She is fun! She calls Alex beautiful. Alex starts to believe in herself. Is she wrong about Mrs. Henry?

Yet Mrs. Henry is hiding something. Many things she says don’t add up, and Granddad is acting like he is under some sort of spell. Alex has to uncover the truth about Mrs. Henry, or Granddad and her family might be the Soucouyant’s next victims. 

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