When an Adirondack town is suddenly faced with the murder of two women, the task of tracking down the killer falls to Sheriff Alex Banks and Lt. Harry Donahue. Driven by public outcry, local politicians are bent on arresting Chuck Fowler, whose relationships with both victims ended abruptly when the women found themselves subjected to his violent temper. Lt. Donahue believes Fowler is guilty; Sheriff Banks disagrees.

Sheriff Banks reflects on the past summer when he and Rose Clifford, the first victim, had shared a brief encounter. In the course of the investigation, Banks finds himself drawn to Rose s friend Jenny Wyland. When an attempt is made on Jenny's life, he is more certain than ever that a killer is still at large. Banks knows he must stop the killer before he strikes again.