When Abby Swann's Tibetan Spaniels, Dawa and Senge, find Murderkill Beach's mayor sprawled over a tree trunk, dead, Abby believes he discovered something sinister in the swamp. Pursued by an Australian professor and his student, Abby navigates the town's waterways and secretive goings-on, past and present, while Dawa dreams of lives long ago, faithful Senge and sassy Siamese by her side. When Abby falls in trouble up to her neck, can the Tibbies save her?