Detective John Delaney was shocked to hear that local businessman Daniel Gallows was strangled during a wedding reception held at Crosswinds, a new bed and breakfast in the historic district of St. Augustine, Florida. John was even more surprised to discover that the new proprietor of the elegant and expensive Crosswinds is Mary Jones, an old high school classmate of John's that he had lost touch with a decade earlier. Along with his partner, Sam McNeal, he discovers the field is heavy with suspects, including Christine Gallows, the bride and the victim's only niece and sole heir to his fortune. Her newly acquired husband, Brad Paxton, and even Christine's mother, Bridget Gallows, are all under suspicion.
As John and Sam delve deeper into the life of Daniel Gallows they discover that he had secrets to hide and that many people would benefit from his death.
In the stifling heat of summer in St. Augustine, the detectives find the mysteries of Daniel Gallows run deep. Turning every stone, they struggle to zero in on their suspect until a final clue leads them to an unexpected conclusion.