Jennifer Frost finds her sister's bludgeoned body on their private fog-shrouded Beastly Island. The only clue to the murder is the disappearance of a signed first edition of Raymond Chandler's The Big Sleep. As a specialist in the rare book business, Jennifer appraises a millionaire's collection, which leads to new clues. A stranger, an old boat builder, her new boyfriend and her ex-fiance lead her to the killer. Each new discovery triggers another murder, and puts Jennifer and her beloved Newfoundland dog Lydia in jeopardy to be the next victims.

Greed, environmental conflict, and ulterior motives result in murder in the wild-river setting of Canada's Northwest Territory during a canoe expedition. When a wolf trapper attempts to destroy evidence, long-kept secrets are divulged. Some seek a diamond lode, others try to locate radioactive debris from a downed Russian spy satellite, while some look for love. Trust is lost, and friendships are severed, as everyone fights for survival in the harsh wilderness. When nature dictates the outcome, there are few winners in this suspenseful tale based on the 1978 Operation Morning Light, a search...