Ex-bodyguard Gary Fenris has made two grave mistakes. The first was letting the woman he loved die on his watch. The second was thinking vengeance could bring him peace. Bookstore owner and amateur lockpick Kate Rowan loves nothing more than a good murder mystery. When her housemate Mr. Wendell dies of a seemingly natural heart attack, Kate's curiosity soon leads her to uncover her reclusive neighbour's shady history with obsession and violence. Despite the risk — or maybe because of it — Gary finds himself drawn to Kate. As danger closes in on Kate and her sleuthing, she must use her wits and skills to escape unscathed, and Gary must face the fact that he once used love as an excuse for murder. To protect Kate, would he do it again?