In a small, rural, northern village, the detective assigned to investigate a young teacher's death is frustrated by a lack of evidence and struggles to identify the murderer. For a while, Robert believes he has gotten away with the crime, but his life begins to spiral out of control when his coveted head-teacher position is challenged by three other teachers. He is desperate to keep the job that he sees as his symbol of success in this fundamentalist community. By delving into his rivals' pasts, he discovers secrets that if revealed would end their careers. Terrified that they will be exposed, each teacher isolates themselves in misery and despair. Riverside Elementary School becomes the unlikely venue for a twisted plot of murder, blackmail, terror and revenge.