In the small mountain town of Nelson, newspaper reporter Stella Mosconi never speaks of her crippling fear of deep water. Now spring runoff is in the alpine, the creeks are on the rampage, and Stella watches the lake rise outside her door.

When a new friend is found dead in her rowboat, she is drawn into the investigation despite a complicated history with the police officer in charge. The death of a second woman - a suspect in the case - brings more trouble Stella's way as she struggles to hold her family together. But can she find the courage to face her most intense fear if that's what it will take to solve the murders?