Winter can be harsh in the North Country. When the reckless teenaged Rousseau brothers, J.T. and Dustin, attempt to cross a frozen Lake Champlain in their ancient VW, what they find plunges them into hot water, not cold. Their guilt in a brutal murder is obvious to everyone except English teacher Amelia Prentice Dickensen, freshly returned from her honeymoon with new husband Gil, who is determined to find the clue that will prove them innocent: a single bullet. Despite a falling out with best friend Lily, parents irate over a low grade, a missing cat, and a strange illness that strikes when least expected, Amelia is determined to find the truth. Unless she is frozen out by an equally determined murderer . . .