The first book in The Ted Vallan Mysteries Trilogy introduces a young couple striving to manage a busy family and their demanding professions. Ted is an investigative Vermont State Trooper and Liza a resident physician. Awakening one morning to emergency calls for each of them the Vallans become challenged in most unexpected ways.

An unidentified body is floating in a Vermont lake. Working his first major case takes Ted from Vermont to New York City where he searches for information about the body and a possible clue from a most unlikely place.

Trouble and danger show up in Vermont and follow Ted to the City and back. They say the City never sleeps and neither does Ted. He tangles with goons, police, and a mysterious woman.

In situations challenging his own personality and values Ted doubts himself, torn over his role in putting his family and others, and even his marriage, in danger. His confusion and anger lead him to become obsessed with confronting the person he holds responsible. Liza and colleagues urge him to let it go and move on. Ted’s not sure he can.