Most good stories start with a fundamental list of ingredients: the initial situation, conflict, complication, climax, suspense, denouement, and conclusion. Great writers sometimes shake up the recipe and add some spice.
Exposition (Initial Situation)
Ch-ch-ch-changes at the Chateau
Emily St. Aubert and her loving parents live together at La Vallée, a pretty sweet chateau in France. They're happy as clams until a pretty nasty illness hits the two elder St. Auberts.
Conflict
On the Road Again
Madame St. Aubert dies of the illness and Monsieur St. Aubert finds out he lost all his moolah in bad investments. Poor Em's got a major conflict to solve unless she can scrape up some money.
Complication
Mean Old Auntie Comes to Town
Madame Cheron, Em's crotchety old aunt, is nothing compared to her scheming new husband, Signor Montoni. They're down to marry Em off to the first suitor with dollar signs for eyes—and that's a major complication for Em and her (broke) beau Valancourt.
Climax (Crisis, Turning Point)
Makin' a Break
Em makes a break from the castle before Montoni marries her off to the highest bidder—or worse, stops protecting her. There's no way you can beat a dramatic escape for the climax of the book.
Falling Action
Never Underestimate Nuns
Agnes (or should we say Signora Laurentini) makes a hair-raising confession about murdering the Marchioness before she kicks the bucket. So much of the plot hinges on this confession that it's a clear winner for falling action.
Resolution (Denoument)
It's All About the Benjamins
With Valancourt's name finally cleared, Em can tie a ribbon around her perfect life with her perfect husband—and plenty of land to boot. Put a fork in it—this book is done.