Monreith, Massachusetts, is a peaceful, predictable place - until popular restaurateur Laurel Thibodeau is found murdered in her own home. Suspicion naturally falls on Laurel's husband, Simon, but there are other rumors too. Max Barbosa, police chief, has heard plenty of them, as has Unitarian minister Georgia Fitzhugh. Local psychiatrist Farley Drake is privy to even more, gleaning snippets of gossip and information from his patients while guarding his own past. But maybe everyone in Monreith has something to hide. As jealousy, revenge, adultery, and greed converge, the question becomes not who among these friends might be capable of such a thing, but who isn't?