While the 'tiger of war' rages across the Pacific during WWII, eccentric, elderly Agnes Odboddy, 'fights the war from the home front'. Her patriotic duties are hampered when she is accused of the Wilkey's Market burglary.

A traveling carnival with a live tiger joins the parishioner's harvest fair at The First Church of the Evening Star and Everlasting Light. Accused again when counterfeit bills are discovered at the carnival and the war bond money goes missing, Agnes tries to locate the money and restore her reputation. Her attempts lead her into harm's way when she discovers a friend's betrayal and even more about tigers and carnival life than she bargained for.

Granddaughter, Katherine's turbulent love triangle with a doctor and an FBI agent rivals Agnes's own conflicted romance with Godfrey, recently returned to town.