Charlotte Miller's father has died, and she is determined not to let Stirwaters (the family mill) die with him. She sets to work with her sister Rosie to keep the business going, but it's harder and harder to break even, much less make a profit. The arrival of their uncle further confuses the issue - a dandy and socialite, he recommends selling the business immediately to competing mill Pinchfields. Meanwhile, the mill itself resists all efforts of repair and care - and the odd happenings surrounding it and its workers revive the talk of a curse set on the old place. Charlotte eventually learns that her father inexplicably took out a huge loan shortly before his death using Stirwaters as collateral, so if Pinchfields doesn't get the mill the bank surely will. At the very last second, a mysterious man stops by to inquire if there's any work that needs doing - and demonstrates his special ability to spin straw into shimmering golden thread. His ultimate price may be far too much for Charlotte to afford.

Advertising this book as simply a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin is selling it short. There's a reason why Bunce won the Morris YA Debut award - the characters and settings are lush and almost cinematic in their detail, regardless of whether she's talking about a length of costly cloth or the appearance of a run-down shack. The pacing is great too - you're forever on the edge of your seat wondering what new oddity will come careening around the corner full tilt at Charlotte and her crew. Highly recommended - full of dastardly deeds, fantastical doings, a smattering of romance, and an earnest dedication to family honor.