Over the course of her storied career, Jessica Fletcher never had any reason to worry about her longtime publisher and trusted friend, Lane Barfield, who's being investigated for financial malfeasance. So when Barfield turns up dead, Jessica takes on the task of proving his innocence, but the trail leads to shadowy, powerful figures in Washington. At the heart of Jessica's investigation is a mysterious manuscript Barfield had intended to publish, after all other publishers had turned it down. With her own life now in jeopardy, Jessica must learn the contents of that manuscript and why it might have led to several murders. Every step she takes brings her closer to the truth of what lies in the pages, as well as to the person who penned them.