Her work life is full and happy but her private life is increasingly strained. Then comes the news that her father, in the small town of Duved Cove, Minnesota, has been murdered and her brother is the prime suspect. Clearly doesn't doubt that her brother could have killed their father. The old man was cruel, abusive, and secretive. When Maja arrives in Duved Cove, she discovers that there are many secrets buried beneath the deep winter snow and plenty of other people who wanted her father dead.