Beatrice Fletcher is obsessed with unsolved murders in her small town of Cabot Cove, Maine, like her great-aunt Jessica, the famous mystery writer. But when her best friend, Jackson, goes missing, this time the mystery is personal.

When Jackson fails to show up for a late-night meetup, Bea stumbles upon three students from the elite Broadmoor Academy: overly friendly and slightly vicious Leisl; her aloof twin brother, Leif; and Carlos, who knows more about, well, everything than he’s letting on.

They’re worldly, secretive, and big on playing games like tenace, the hush-hush Broadmoor tradition where anything or anyone can be a clue to future fame and fortune, and players will stop at nothing—including murder—to get ahead.

If Bea wants to find Jackson, she too must join the game and play to win. Everyone in Cabot Cove has secrets, and it’s up to Bea to ferret them out before it’s too late.