In historian Lottie Albright's western Kansas community, false accusations threaten senatorial candidate Brian Hadley's political career. Secrets whispered to Lottie as editor of the county history books spur her into a personal search for his aunt's murderer.

Lottie ignores warnings from her twin sister, Josie, that she is in over her head and dons a badge that will grant her access to the information she seeks. Does she really think she can combine historical research methods and police procedure? To help her sister, Josie offers her expertise in untangling the web of families bound by a lethal legacy of prideful secrets. But a clever killer, threatened by the two women's ability to connect the dots, begins to stalk Lottie.

Blindsided by her protective husband's disapproval of her new job and aghast at a bizarre attempt to sabotage her academic credentials, Lottie fears that her obsession is destroying her marriage and her reputation.