When local shop owner Norah Zumwalt asks Victory O'Shea to trace her family tree, Victory - Torie - never dreamed it would lead to murder. Torie is the resident historian, genealogist, and tour guide of the historic German town of New Kassel, Missouri. Though she knows she's overworked already, Torie cheerfully agrees to the job because it's so intriguing: she's to find out what happened to Norah's father, who left to serve in World War II but never returned, and his ancestors, about whom Norah knows almost nothing. As luck would have it, Torie gets some surprising answers for Norah right away, but when she tries to tell her what she's found, Norah puts her off, then vanishes. Torie finally goes to Norah's home to deliver the news in person, only to find the poor woman murdered in her own home. Torie quickly realizes that she may have stumbled onto a mystery more complex - and more dangerous - than the question of Norah's ancestors, and that by nosing around, she's put herself in harm's way. Struggling to balance a murder investigation with her work and the care of her family is tough enough, but when the mighty Mississippi floods, threatening her home and New Kassel itself, it might be all Torie can do to keep her head above water. Especially if someone is trying to force her under...