Lily Ellsworth
- erect firm white-haired & stylish
- is the grand dame of Dowling Massachusetts & possesses an iron will & a bottomless purse. When she hires Spenser to investigate her grandson Jared Clark's alleged involvement in a school shooting Spenser is led into an investigation that grows more harrowing at every turn. Though seven people were killed in cold blood & despite being named as a co-conspirator by the other shooter Mrs. Ellsworth is convinced of her grandson's innocence. Jared's parents are resigned to his fate & the boy himself doesn't seem to care whether he goes to prison for a crime he might not have committed. As the probe goes on Spenser finds himself up against a number of roadblocks
- from the school officials who don't want him investigating to Jared's own parents who are completely indifferent to the boy's defense. Ultimately Spenser discovers a web of blackmail & some heavy-duty indiscretions
- & a truth too disturbing to contemplate. Before the case reaches its unfortunate end Spenser is forced to make a series of difficult decisions
- with fatal consequences.