It is a cold, snowy February in Crescent Falls and Adelaide McBride is enjoying the new excitement in her life as two attractive men vie for her attention. But, her joy is short-lived when two murders occur within days of each other, both obviously the work of the same killer who left a Valentine card on each body. When a third victim is found barely alive, it becomes obvious that a serial killer is on the loose.

Once again Adelaide's son, Chief of Police Daniel McBride, finds his ability to do his job called into question when there isn't a speedy arrest. All three victims were young, attractive women and one suspect immediately emerges, but Adelaide believes the man is innocent and decides to start her own investigation.

Unexpected twists and turns, including an out-of-town murder and an attack on a local attorney, lead the police and Adelaide down a treacherous path in search of a methodical, cunning killer, whose identity shocks and saddens all the residents of the small, close-knit community.