This novel is based on a twenty-year-old criminal case from the author's hometown. South of the New York State Adirondacks lies a small town on the dwindling edge of non-existence. Near the center of town is Frank's Funeral Home, and has been in business for as long as the town's people can remember. With the town's growing elderly population, Frank can afford to take on new help and hires Emily. She is a recent graduate from a large university and looking to jump-start her career as a mortuary technician. Becoming part of a staff of two, she begins working with Jonathan, who is considered by his employer to be an artist of mortuary reconstruction.

But Frank is harboring a secret. Although the elderly population seems to be growing, the town is growing smaller due to those finding opportunity elsewhere. And with the town's shrinking population, Frank's income is steadily falling. But Frank has a plan-one that he has been forced to engage in. Under the threatening eye of an unnamed man, prone to violence, his life is turned upside-down. Frank soon learns that not every plan works as intended, and the recent death of his wife only adds to the stress of trying to keep his business safe from the man who wishes to use it for sinister purposes.