Former banker turned budding romance novelist Sam Monroe is wanted in the murder of her soon to be ex-husband’s grad assistant and lover, Ariella Fantini. Ariella is murdered while Sam is in Florida celebrating both her mother’s birthday and the publication of her first novel. Sam swiftly proves that she is just about the only person who could not have committed the murder. This swift change in her status from primary murder suspect to a person of interest has other consequences. Ariella's father, a mob boss on the run, makes Sam an offer she doesn't know how to refuse, help solve the murder of his daughter by using her connections in the English Department at the University.  Since Mr. Fantini is on the most wanted lists of the Boston Police and the FBI, he needs to watch out for his own back.

Sam puts together a list of potential suspects that includes a jealous ex-boyfriend, a plagiarist who is using Ariella’s work and Rick, Sam’s soon to be ex.  A local news reporter with connections to a friend of Ariella's becomes involved too.  When this friend is murdered for Ariella's journal and Sam’s home is ransacked and her life threatened, it becomes clear that Sam is more prey than hunter.  Mr. Fantini and his ever present bodyguard, the police and Sam’s friends and family realize that Sam is in danger and scramble to find her before she becomes the next victim.