The Plank family moved from Lancashire, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill, Ohio, less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life. On a cold October night, the entire family of seven is found slaughtered on their farm. Police Chief Kate Burkholder and her small force, assisted by state agent John Tomasetti, have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from the English - and each other - but this crime is horribly out of the ordinary ...