The Devil in Canaan Parish is a southern gothic suspense novel set in south Louisiana in 1957. It tells the story of Bram and Sally Palmer, a middle class couple trying to keep apace with Sally's wealthy relatives, the Landrys, who own most of Canaan Parish. One night in late July, a tropical storm hits the small town of Techeville. The Ira Meyer's jewelry shop is robbed and a stranger, Melee Mouton, arrives in town. The young Cajun girl goes to work as a maid for the Palmers, and quickly becomes a prisoner in the couple's bitter, covetous household. Soon an evil presence begins to haunt Melee, Bram and Sally, and the local sheriff gets involved to try to rid Canaan Parish of the devil that has taken up residence.