Aspiring author Ben Simmons hates imposing himself upon others, so when he breaks down in the small Rhode Island town of Kettering, he's forced to grit his teeth and lean on strangers for help.

It's not all bad, though. His temporary host could not be more accommodating, and the local librarian quickly takes an interest in Ben, as well as the research for his next novel. Though unexpected, his short stay has the potential to be enjoyable. But when he stumbles upon the second murder in Kettering within a week, he realizes his presence in town might actually be life-threatening.

Ben soon finds himself torn between leaving as soon as he can and his feelings for the alluring Ellen Hornsby. However, the longer Ben stays in town, the more questions he has. Who is the killer? How are these murders connected to similar crimes committed 30 years before? And why haven't the townspeople done anything?

As Ben's list of allies grows, so too does the threat that haunts the people of Kettering. Together, these individuals must set aside their differences and find the killer before the body count climbs any higher, but time is running out.

Something is in the woods, something hidden among the shadows that grow ever longer with winter's approach, and it's hunting all of them.