When Sophie Childress discovers a letter written in 1920 by the witness to a murder, she enlists Noah Pennyman-owner of the house where it took place-to investigate. Who was the victim? What did the killer do with the body-not to mention a carpetbag full of money? Together they expose a complex web of family ties and lies that has persisted through four generations in the historic village of Marmion Grove. When two more corpses are unearthed, Noah and Sophie are faced with too many victims and not enough murderers.