The book surrounds the death of Annie, who is the water diviner in a small Alberta farm town. It is told for the points of view of the townspeople, and even Annie, as they react to her death and reflect on her life. The town is going through various upheavals: financial, demographic, moral. The church is being decommissioned, which leads to a confrontation between the worshipers and the bishop who is there for the last service, and who has a past with Annie that he must confront.