The Fourth of July fireworks are just beginning on Sanpere Island. But after the celebrations are over, Faith Fairchild is shocked to discover a body in the woods near The Birches, an early twentieth-century "cottage."

The body is identified as The Birches' housekeeper, who seems to have succumbed to a heart attack. The death is only one of the dramatic events upending the historic house. A family gathering has been called to decide who will inherit the much loved, and very valuable, estate that has been in the Proctor family for generations. With this much money involved, it's just a matter of time before trouble arises among the warring potential legatees.

But when another death occurs—and this time it is murder, Faith races to uncover a killer, one who is much too close to home!