Police Chief Jesse Stone again finds himself at the center of a mystery that has overtaken the small New England town he is sworn to protect. A number of events lead Jesse to a mystery that includes the mother of child lost in a long cold kidnapping case, a cryptic message hints that her child may well still be alive. Jesse also finds himself under investigation by the Internal Affairs department for his handling of the sacking of an unpopular officer. An alleged affair between a music teacher and her student also appears to tie in with the mystery.