Memphis Maynard, famous world renowned photo journalist, returns to her family roots in backwoods Yancey, West Virginia to unearth the secret of who murdered her grandmother, Sadie Maynard, back in 1936 . She needs to locate the unknown burial site before her journalist ex-boyfriend releases his forthcoming expose on the mysterious circumstances surrounding her death.
The close-knit community, resentful of nosy outsiders reveals little of its secrets to the well known journalists. Memphis's efforts for fresh information are also hampered by the town's affection for Cutter Tate, hard-spoken grandson of once prime suspect, the now deceased Macauley Tate. Cutter, a member of one of Yancy's few wealthy families, remembers his grandfather as the only family member who truly loved him and refuses to let this sixty year old scandal, which effects still linger, taint his memory. In the quest for the truth Memphis and Cutter are forced together and a danger seemingly long past arises again to threaten those they most care about.
