Gwen Sullivan explores the life of her sister Tessie, a woman whose destiny is laid down by law—Murphy’s Law. Watching her stumble from one calamity to the next, Gwen struggles to pick up the pieces, unaware that the tragicomic tale is no longer just Tessie’s, but also her own.

While her career as a dentist in the late eighties appears promising, Tessie’s life changes abruptly when a mix-up at work leads to serious consequences. Hoping to find peace of mind, she goes on a skiing holiday to Yugoslavia where she becomes involved with a military pilot—and that at a time when the Balkan States are teetering on the brink of war.