recently freed from a loveless marriage, annie heywood is determined to put the past behind her. starting over in a new town seems the perfect solution, the purchase of a charming little house the icing on the cake. things take a mysterious turn when she discovers a diary discarded by a former tenant, a woman so elusive as to become an obsession. what begins as curiosity morphs into a game of cat and mouse with a detective who won't take yes for an answer, a millionaire who won't take no, and a serial killer who may end her idyllic life before it starts. on the opposite coast, ex-cop pete ryan is haunted by the brutal murder of his sister at the hands of her soulmate, a monster in disguise. bitter and driven to avenge her, his quest will take him to hell and back while forcing him to confront his darkest fear about himself.