When one of Randi Conway's psychotherapy patients is found dead of a gunshot wound, the investigation is turned over to Detective Anthony Walker.

A former New York City cop, Walker now serves on the police force of an affluent community in Fairfield County, Connecticut. He lives among the privileged gentry, where he understands that appearances are often far removed from reality. This certainly proves to be true in the death of Elizabeth Knoebel, who had been keeping a private journal entitled "Sexual Rites."

As Walker uncovers more and more of the secrets of Elizabeth's memoir, he becomes convinced that her killer is tied to Randi Conway's patients, endangering Conway's life, as well. Will he decipher the diary and find the killer in time to save her?