We have much more to fear than fear itself...

Former lawyer Nicole Fitzhenry-Dawes' week is off to a rough start. Her mom showed up from Virginia for an unannounced visit, there's a particularly virulent strain of the flu going around Fair Haven, and her friend Mandy discovered blood in one of the guest rooms of her bed-and-breakfast.

A lot of blood.

With Mandy's livelihood at stake and half of Fair Haven's police department out sick, Nicole and her mom end up engaged in their version of mother-daughter time—investigating a murder.

The case might prove to be one of the most challenging they've faced. The victim's body is missing. The evidence points to all his co-workers, none of whom seem to have a motive. And Mandy's attempts to help look a lot more like meddling.

But just because they don't have a firm lead on who the murderer is doesn't mean the murderer doesn't know them...and everything they fear.