What does a rising young homicide detective do when she inadvertently causes the death of a loved one? In this unsentimental Southern novel, Jaclyn White tells the story of Dixie McClatchey, who leaves her position with the Atlanta Police Department in an attempt to put her past behind her, and build a new life in a quiet Southern town. She makes some friends, opens a bookstore, and works as a volunteer with Friends of the Library. When one of the volunteers is killed behind her shop and evidence points to members of the library group, Dixie is reluctantly drawn into the investigation. Complicating the situation is the mutual attraction between Dixie and police lieutenant Steve Ballard, whose team is searching for the murderer. As the story unravels, Dixie must face the consequences of her decisions, while learning that she is not the only one with a past.