Laura Olsen, whose life is interrupted by a pending divorce, travels to northern California to housesit a bed and breakfast inn for an old college friend. From the beginning, she gets involved with the small village of Mendocino and the death of one of its residents. She finds herself in great danger. The town sheriff, a handsome man of her age, tries to get her to stay out of the mystery, but Laura doesn't heed his advice. She inadvertently discovers the identity of the murderer and runs for her life.