The Plank family moved from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to join the small Amish community of Painters Mill less than a year ago and seemed the model of the Plain Life--until on a cold October night, the entire family of seven was found slaughtered on their farm. Police Cheif Kate Burkholder and her small force have few clues, no motive, and no suspect. Formerly Amish herself, Kate is no stranger to the secrets the Amish keep from the English--and one another--but this crime is horribly out of the ordinary.