The sleepy town of Layton, Minnesota has been relatively crime free since its serial killer four decades ago When Shelli Hoffman takes an internship as a counselor at the high school, she quickly finds herself drawn into a mystery. Soon after her arrival, a student disappears. As Shelli gets too close to finding the answer, she becomes the next victim.

Police Chief Melissa Sullivan has had it easy. Simple crimes have been the norm of her tenure, so when her friend's daughter disappears, and then a school staff member, she must fight the clock to solve the crime before its too late.