"The Heller" was a best-selling novel in its time and still a good read. Rebellious and beautiful Anne Karlan seems older than her seventeen years. The love of Anne's life is Fred, a high school athlete. Learning that he is the father of her best friend Betsy's baby, forcing the two to marry, Anne drops out of school. Devastated by Fred and Betsy's betrayal, Anne becomes interested in Leonard Mason, her mother's boarder. Leonard is several years older than Anne; mature and settled in a good job. He deplores Anne's lack of education and brashness; nonethless he is attracted to her. Their romance barely takes off when Anne's mother banishes Leonard from the house. Anne tries to fill the void by dating other men, but she can't forget Leonard. They eventually elope, but Anne is soon bored with being a housewife. A chance encounter with Betsy and Fred bring the couple back into her life. Events move swiftly toward a tragedy that will change Anne's life.