In 1953 ten-year-old Octobia May lives in her Aunt's boarding house in the South, surrounded by an African American community which has its own secrets and internal racism, and spends her days wondering if Mr. Davenport in room 204 is really a vampire--or something else entirely. In 1953, 10-year-old Octobia May lives in her aunt's boarding house with an African American community that has its own secrets and internal racism. Octobia's questioning mind unfolds mystery and adventure. The plot contains violence and racial slurs.