Jesse Stone has recently relocated to a small Massachusetts town that harbors its share of secrets. When he becomes a candidate to succeed outgoing police chief Lou Carson, Stone''s struggles with drinking and divorce make him a more attractive hire to town councilman Hasty Hathaway, who hopes Stone won''t notice his questionable intentions. However, when Carson is pushed off a cliff, Stone is shaken from his stupor and compelled to pinpoint the culprit.