The first novel in a new historical series set rural Vermont in the volatile 1960s follows Bostonian Franklin Warren as he takes a position as a detective with the state police. Not long after, he is called up to a remote farm on Agony Hill to investigate the death of Hugh Weber. The people of Bethany clearly have secrets, but Warren cant tell if the truth about Webers death is one of them. As he gets to know his new home, Warren is drawn to the people and traditions of small town Vermont, even as he finds darkness amidst the beauty.