Twenty-six years ago, just before a series of brutal murders rocked the idyllic town of Bowers Inlet, Cassie Burke lost her family and nearly her own life to a transient befriended by her father. Back then, Cassie was a scared kid; now, she's a homicide cop. Back then, the suspect was caught and convicted; he died in prison. But now the killing has started again. And all signs indicate that the Bayside Strangler has come back for more.

Two children who mysteriously disappeared many years ago are the last thing on Lorna Temple's mind when she returns to her Pennsylvania hometown to sell the old family property in the wake of her mother's passing. But instead of memories, the fields where Lorna grew up yield something utterly chilling.

When her father was charged as a serial killer, Nina Madden and her stepmother became pariahs in their small Maryland town. Though Nina never believed the hideous accusations, evidence led to her father's conviction. When her father died in prison, Nina left Stone River and never looked back. But she couldn't shake the lingering doubts.

True-crime writer Regan Landry has followed several explosive stories but none more challenging than that of convict Lester Barnes, a rapist and murderer, who persuades the intrepid author to reinvestigate his case. When Regan and FBI Special Agent Mitch Peyton oblige, they discover a startling number of irregularities, including a crucial DNA mismatch. Their vigorous efforts secure Barnes' parole.