Paul Barker cannot figure out why someone wants him dead. In his past life he was a nationally renowned New York City homicide detective nearly murdered from a gunshot wound to the head. Today Paul is the Chief of Police in rural Pepperell Massachusetts, a quaint bedroom community. Relocation, he figured, would sever him from all casework he was involved with and give him a new shot at life with less risk. On a cold winter morning a body shows up in the Nashua River. The problem is that the victim has the same calling card Barker seen on New York murder victims. In rapid succession Paul's comfortable new life dissolves and he's forced to untangle the most important riddle of his life. Is it the 'Stickman' from an old case or is it someone else?