Dan Hawk, an ex-detective turned writer, is re-instated onto the force after returning to his home town. A serial killer has 'donned the guise' of Hawks most famous book creation, and has begun to kill people off one by one.

一个美丽的年轻女子海登（塔图姆·奥尼尔 饰）被指控谋杀她富有的丈夫弗兰克（汤姆·贝伦杰 饰）。几乎所有证据都对她不利，警察企图逮捕她，这时海登发现自己唯有揭开真相才能在这场生命的斗争中取得胜利。在富裕的中西部城市背景的映衬下，一封遗嘱将揭晓最后的答案。