La Trout Lily is the name of a Louisiana estate (“On the Gulf”) where the aging matriarch Viola Mae lives with two of her three sons in the 1960s. Viola Mae is slowly descending into dementia and the sons must deal with her future, and the future of La Trout Lily.

Complications arise when the prodigal third son returns and dredges up dark secrets that only come to light in Viola Mae’s demented state. Murder, jealousy and the ghosts of Viola Mae’s sisters are served up with doubts about what is true what is fantasy and the future of La Trout Lily.