ZOEY CALLAWAY, an introverted information professional, is resigned to living in the cramped apartment above her mother's garage. She has a job that she loves and is surrounded by her precious collection of first edition books.

However, in the small Michigan town of Hope Harbor, murder happens. When Zoey's uncle is found dead in his bathtub, the police think it's an accidental overdose, but Zoey thinks he was murdered. Uncle Felix hated baths. To complicate matters, Zoey inherits her uncle's house, and black kitten named Karma, much to the chagrin of her alcoholic mother. Once Zoey moves out of her apartment and into Felix's house, things get interesting. With a stalker following her every move, Zoey needs to use all her research skills as she seeks to identify the killer before she becomes his next victim.