The one-stoplight town of Daybreak, Ohio is still scarred from a horrific double-homicide and disappearance that happened three years earlier when journalist LOGAN JACKSON arrives from New York, looking to find a new topic to write about following an unexpected viral hit. Arriving in Daybreak to find a town deeply suspicious and seemingly hostile to all outsiders, Logan sets about trying to dig in to the Malone Murders, the tragic crime that still haunts the town, but finds resistance from all angles- law enforcement, the local press, and the population at large.

The only person seemingly interested in helping his budding investigation is VICTORIA GIBBONS, best friend of ELIZA, the teenage victim. After turning up on his first night in town to 'vet' him and his motivations behind wanting to write about the case, Victoria turns in to his biggest supporter, grateful that someone finally wants to shine a national spotlight on the case.

Despite initial resistance Logan's even-handed investigation and writing begins to thaw the icy relations with many in town, notably the Sheriff and local reporter ORSON WALCOTT, and his investigation begins to pick up steam as he zooms in on three possible suspects around town. Weathering threats and intimidation from the victim's ex-boyfriend, Logan begins to dig deeper in to the lives of the victims and their deep roots in the town. More and more people come forward, willing to speak about what they remember about the Malone's and the crime, but these interviews produce no real results.

Logan continues to dig but finds himself at a brick wall until he begins to receive mysterious emails which include copies of the victim's financial records, indicating there was something amiss. Verifying they are real with local law enforcement he begins to dig in to what turns out to be a dark underbelly of life in Daybreak, which causes him no small stress as signs begin to point toward BRADLEY GIBBONS, Victoria's father, as a possible culprit. This puts a severe damper on their budding relationship.

As Logan continues to dig Victoria comes to terms with her father's potential involvement and begins to assist him. After a guilt-wracked Orson confesses a startling secret about the local sheriff to Logan things look like they are finally coming together, when Logan is attacked out of the blue by the real murderer.