When a young reporter is viciously murdered, Mobile, Alabama detectives Carson Ryder and Harry Nautilus find themselves drawn into the dealings of the wealthy Kincannon family, philanthropic socialites with ties to Ryder—and to his journalist girlfriend. Then Ryder is abducted—with no clues as to who did it or why.
 
Digging to uncover the truth that could lead him to his partner, Nautilus discovers a web of connections between the dead reporter, an enigmatic behind-the-scenes powerbroker, and the Kincannons’ own dark secrets. The question quickly becomes: What would the perfect family do to protect an image of perfection? The answer: Whatever it takes.