In the small town of Scansansiano, Tuscany, hard-headed and impulsive ex-pat writer Leah Contarini finds herself catapulted into the investigation of a heinous and brutal murder. Stubborn, intuitive, and full of grit, Leah sets out to solve the snarl of clues that could lead to the killer. Working with (and sometimes against) the police, Leah is joined in her search by her motley group of friends. The reader meets Senegalese businessman Idrissa; the "Lieutenant," a Sardinian policeman, who is hopelessly in love with and often infuriated with Leah; the wise and solitary "Signora," an enigmatic older Venetian woman who always wears a fur coat; Secondo, a mentally-troubled street sweeper who proves to be of great courage; Joel, an art historian who is competing with the Lieutenant for Leah's love; and Noah, a brave Maremmano-Abruzzese sheepdog.

Murder, torment, and horror may be realities, but in this small Tuscan town, it is community and friendship that endures.