When New York-based True Crime magazine writer Dana Baxter decides to expand into the writing of True Crime books, she elects to travel to distant Washington State to research the trial and conviction of a locally very popular teacher for the brutal murder of an equally well-known nurse -- "all but an open and shut case," or so it was claimed, but one that split the local community into near hostile camps. Upon arrival in Washington, she finds the community very truly divided, and soon finds herself also conflicted as to the conduct of the case -- "is the right accused in prison, or perhaps the real perpetrator remains free and at large?" Dana enlists the aid of a local newspaper reporter, Mallory James, and an independent-thinking Police Sergeant Jason Barnes, in her quest for truth and justice.