Hugh Breedlove is far from the most agreeable client private investigator Frank Malloy has ever had, but his case is impossible to refuse: his young niece, Julia, has been wrongfully committed to an insane asylum by her cruel and unfaithful husband, Chet Longly. Though Breedlove and his wife seem more interested in protecting the family reputation than their niece's safety, Frank and Sarah agree to help for the sake of Julia and the young son she left behind.

Frank and Sarah's investigation reveals a dark secret--a maid at the Longly home died suspiciously under Chet's watch, and now it seems Julia's son might also be in danger. The Malloys fear they are dealing with a man more dangerous than they had anticipated, one who will do anything to defame his wife. But all is not as it seems in the Longly family, and perhaps another monster is hiding in plain sight....