DI Charlie Priest is on holiday when he gets a call from his colleagues at Heckley about the opening of a local shopping and conference centre. Amid the paparazzi flash bulbs and preening local officials, someone by-passed security. But worse is to come, as this leads Charlie into a murder investigation.

1968. British students Penny & Kate and Americans Bobby & Sandy have a wonderful summer on Cape Cod. Then Bobby's car crashes, and a bitter old woman takes control, changing the survivors' lives forever. One was killed, another damaged and a third disappeared. 20 years later, a letter arrives, stirring up old memories.