In historian Lottie Albright's Western Kansas community, false accusations threaten senatorial candidate Brian Hadley's political career, secrets whispered to her as editor of the county history books spur a personal search for his aunt's murderer. Ignoring warnings from her twin sister, Josie, that she is in over her head, Lottie dons a badge to have access to information. She delves into a horrifying "cold case" to prove her merits as a deputy and impresses Sheriff Sam Abbot with her ability to combine historical research methods and police procedure. To help her sister, Josie adds her expertise in untangling the web of families bound by a lethal legacy of prideful secrets. Soon Lottie is stalked by a clever killer threatened by the twins' ability to connect the dots. Blindsided by her protective husband's disapproval of new job, and aghast at a bizarre attempt to sabotage her academic credentials, Lottie knows her obsession is destroying her marriage and her reputation.