Kevin Cooper is a young psychologist struggling to make a living in private practice in Cleveland, Ohio. But in this age of televised court hearings, Cooper's participation in a high-profile child serial murder case brings him national attention, making him an instant celebrity and a sought-after expert. Cooper's life becomes a real-life fairy tale for the next few years. He opens a lucrative practice in Los Angeles, marries the woman of his dreams, and becomes a father. But his utopian life soon turns into a nightmare when his wife dies in a car accident, and a former patient kills his daughter. Depressed and suicidal, Cooper moves back to Cleveland and becomes a recluse. After the death of a former high school friend, Cooper is coaxed into temporarily caring for the victim's eight-year-old daughter, Melissa Moore. He also reluctantly assists a task force in catching the murderer, partly out of guilt, and partly out of a sense of loyalty and duty to Melissa. During his search for the killer, Cooper's relationship with Melissa helps him obtain something that therapy was unable to provide-the ability to forgive himself and move forward with his life.