Spenser is hired by Boston aristocrat Loudon Tripp to find his wife's killer after the police deem the murder at a stand still. Digging deep, Spenser quickly realizes that Tripp's idealized view of his picture-perfect wife, picture-perfect kids, and picture-perfect life are anything but. Even the recently departed Olivia Tripp is not who or what she appears on the surface. Spenser uncovers an affair with a politician, a small town scandal, once wealthy family that are now bankrupt, and a child with a damaging secret of her own. A protective and loyal servant with secrets of his own leave Spenser with life altering decisions to make. He may find it easier to let sleeping dogs lie, but will he?