Angela Richman, Chouteau County death investigator, finds herself deep in the Missouri woods on a perfect spring day. But there is nothing idyllic about her grim walk—a body has been discovered in a muddy creek, and Detective Jace Budewitz wants Angela on the scene. Terri Gibbons, the popular Forest High track star who went missing eight months ago, has been found strangled. Could a message found in Terri's shoe hold the key to catching her killer? Chouteau Forest is a town of privilege and secrets, where everyone has something to hide. Can Angela overcome the many obstacles in her way to see justice served when the Forest's wealthy residents will go to any length to prevent the truth from being revealed?