Coralie Sardie's father runs a Coney Island freak show where Coralie pretends to be a mermaid alongside other performers. Soon Coralie falls for photographer Eddie Cohen, a Russian immigrant who has run away from his job as a tailor's apprentice to his father. When Eddie photographs the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, he becomes involved in a young woman's disappearance; and Coralie learns about her past.

Includes a reading group guide.