In a sleepy coastal town north of Boston, a serial killer selects its victims using a unique code of ethics...

Detective Stanley Devonshire is uncovering a trail of evidence in an attempt to determine exactly how the killer has managed to continue on its horrific rampage undiscovered for what appears to be eighty years with the exact same pattern.

At the outset, there is no discernible thread of reason connecting the killings. So Stan enlists the help of his longtime friend from Marblehead, Detective Mark Brown. Stan is also joined forcibly by a stunning state police officer and an imposing federal agent who follow him along on a journey of revelation twist after convoluted twist. Devonshire is certain he is close to solving the cases stacking up on his desk, but in his attempt to identify the illusive killer he may become the hunter's next victim.