Summit Lake

In the tranquil mountain town of Summit Lake, the brutal murder of law student Becca Eckersley shatters the community's peace and draws investigative journalist Kelsey Castle into a web of secrets that runs deeper than anyone imagined. Kelsey arrives in Summit Lake ostensibly on assignment for Events Magazine, but she carries her own wounds—recovering from a violent assault in Miami that left her struggling with isolation and fear. What begins as a straightforward investigation into a young woman's death becomes an intricate puzzle involving hidden marriages, unrequited love, and the devastating consequences of secrets kept too long.

As Kelsey delves into Becca's life, she uncovers a complex network of relationships that painted the victim as different things to different people. Through stolen medical records, hidden journals, and clandestine meetings with locals, the investigation reveals that Becca was secretly married and pregnant at the time of her death, facts that even her wealthy parents never knew. The trail leads through Becca's college years at George Washington University, where she navigated friendships with Jack, Gail, and Brad Reynolds—relationships that would prove both formative and ultimately fatal. Each revelation adds another layer to the mystery, as Kelsey discovers that Becca had a pattern of inspiring deep devotion in the men around her, often without realizing the intensity of their feelings.

The investigation takes increasingly dangerous turns as Kelsey finds herself pursued by hostile law enforcement officials who seem determined to bury the case. With the help of Dr. Peter Ambrose and local coffee shop worker Rae, she pieces together the tragic timeline that led to Becca's death, uncovering evidence of stalking, obsession, and a love triangle that ended in violence. The search ultimately leads to a remote hunting cabin in the foothills, where the truth about Becca's killer finally emerges—along with evidence of a year-long campaign of surveillance and psychological torment that preceded the murder.

Charlie Donlea crafts a psychological thriller that explores how unrequited love can transform into something monstrous, and how the secrets we keep to protect others can ultimately destroy them. Through Kelsey's parallel journey of healing from her own trauma, the novel examines themes of survival, trust, and the courage required to confront both external threats and internal fears. The resolution brings justice for Becca while offering redemption for Kelsey, who finds that investigating another woman's tragedy becomes the key to reclaiming her own life and moving beyond the shadows of her past.