When Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Lydia Manzo becomes lost in the woods of Maine, then is found dead, it sets off a chain of events that upsets the fragile peace of Redimere, Maine. While state investigators are sure Lydia killed herself, some in Redimere are sure someone killed her. As newspaper editor Bernadette "Bernie" O'Dea tries to sort out the truth, Police Chief Pete Novotny also disappears into the woods.

Maine's northwestern High Peaks region can be a dark wilderness, but the mountains suddenly seem very crowded as Bernie searches for answers. It's another too-hot summer of deceit and death in Redimere.