The story takes place on the Olympic Peninsula in the state of Washington, where rainforests, tall mountains, and cascading rivers meet the saltwater Strait of Juan de Fuca in an epic conflict of man versus nature.

The novel opens with a fictionalized version of one of the nation's most famous crimes, Lake Crescent's Lady of the Lake murder and trial. The story segues into the future, revealing the full story of the legend's dark history.

Decades later, County Sheriff Duncan Webster is working on a cold case involving the disappearance of his own childhood sweetheart. His quest for vengeance unveils a web of intrigue, tragedy, and uncertainty.