'Spinners Lake starts in 1860 in Bilsden, the Lancashire mill town, where Frederick Hallam is dying. But as he weakens, he makes secret plans to smooth the future path for his beloved wife Annie. Her sister, Joanie, is fed up with life until a dashing new admirer crosses her path. But a spurned suitor is determined that Joanie will be his, whatever the cost. And he is not the only one who wants to harm the Gibson family.
Meanwhile the Civil War in America cuts off cotton supplies, so that times are hard in Lancashire and unemployment is rife in the small town of Bilsden. Annie has to rebuild her life after her husband's death and plans to build Spinners Lake, an extraordinary project that will keep her workers from destitution.
Tian Gilchrist, who fell in love with Annie in the previous book, Hallam Square, goes to visit America and gets caught up in the war there, nearly losing his life. Injured, he fights his way back to Bilsden, to Annie, whom he has never forgotten.
And the plans that Frederick made for Annie gradually change her life in unforeseen ways, bringing her hope and happiness once again...(Publisher's blurb)