In an effort to "keep up with the Joneses", a couple stretches their finances to purchase a home in an upper-class neighborhood. Due to a murder/suicide by the previous owners, the house is deeply discounted. After they move in, they form a quick friendship with a neighbor. But strange things begin to happen, and they soon suspect the neighbor may have played a part in the murders.

After months of tireless investigation, Abby becomes convinced that she's found her daughter's abductor. When authorities dismiss her claim, she takes matters into her own hands, setting in motion a chain of events that reveal the shocking truth.

Ashley is a creative writing graduate student who is one thesis away from graduating. Miles Blake, a celebrity murder mystery writer comes to her university to teach. She gets assigned to be his TA, and they strike up a sort of friendship.