When a wealthy benefactor and alumnus of Eastern Friends School in Philadelphia is murdered, details at the scene prompt Lt. Frank DiSalvo to introduce himself at a faculty meeting.  There, he meets Maxwell Hunter, an English teacher who likes to lecture about the mysteries of literature.  At first, DiSalvo brushes off Hunter's offer of help, but when the second EFS-related murder is discovered, he enlists his aid.

With his sharp eye for detail, and uncanny ability to assemble the pieces of the puzzle, Hunter identifies the literary references in the clues left at the crime scenes.  But, can he predict the next attack in time to prevent another murder?