When Sophie Skala narrowly escapes indictment for the murder of her abusive husband, she seeks anonymity by moving to a small lake island for the winter. But writer and island resident Joe Wisdom recognizes her-and quickly becomes the victim of foul play. Shaken by this latest crime, Sophie is further distressed to learn that her late husband's mistress also lives in the same town. And even worse, this mistress has had a relationship with Carl Jacobsen, Sophie's new lover. But Carl has an uneasy relationship with the island's inhabitants, and his past remains cloaked in shadows. Winter arrives early, cutting the island off from the mainland. Sophie and Carl find themselves at the center of an investigation for Joe's murder. Sophie is confident in her innocence, but the more she learns of Carl's past, the more she wonders if she can trust him . Crackling with intrigue, this murder mystery reveals the intricate lives of one island's inhabitants-and their dark secrets.