The celebrated Spenser series continues as a troubled teenager accused of a horrific crime draws Spenser into one of the most desperate cases of his career.

Lily Ellsworth is the grande dame of Dowling, Massachusetts. When she hires Spenser to investigate her grandson Jared Clark’s alleged involvement in a school shooting, Spenser is led into an inquiry that grows more harrowing at every turn. Though seven people were killed in cold blood, and despite Jared’s being named as a co-conspirator by the other shooter, Mrs. Ellsworth is convinced of her grandson’s innocence. As the probe goes on, Spenser finds himself up against a number of roadblocks, from the school officials who don’t want him asking questions, to Jared’s own parents, who are completely indifferent to the boy’s defense. Ultimately, Spenser discovers a web of blackmail and a truth too disturbing to contemplate. Before the case reaches its unfortunate end, he is forced to make a series of difficult decisions–with fatal consequences.