The body of a young woman has been found in a cranberry bog, and Detective Constance Maclean is convinced that this murder is tied to an earlier killing. The Seattle police already have a suspect in custody for that case, but Maclean suspects the lead detective is knowingly putting away an innocent man to boost his numbers and quiet his critics. Dr. James Verraday, a professor of forensic psychology specializing in eyewitness recall and criminal profiling, reluctantly agrees to use his skills as a profiler to help out with the investigation. They form an unlikely alliance and soon find themselves tied up in a deadly game to locate a serial killer whose wealth and influence make him almost untouchable.