Deirdre Matheson leaves her small Midwestern town to attend Staunton College in Boston. There she thrives, building a close circle of friends, battling for the national championship in field hockey, and excelling in academics. Deirdre appears to be living the perfect life?but perfect people often have secrets, and Deirdre is no different.
Two murders take place on campus and bring back horrible memories. Soon Deirdre's past begins to catch up with her, as family secrets emerge and an unsolved crime in her hometown?the mysterious disappearance of her high school rival, Sally Baker?threatens her promising future.
Rodger Hastings is a high school teacher with a specific interest in Deirdre. He has observed her for years and now wonders if all her successes have been built on falsehoods. A court case is forthcoming; several mysteries must be solved. Deirdre's fairytale life is about to come crashing down, but who is the real guilty party in this fatal web of lies?