Halloween, the night of ghosts and goblins, witches and zombies, disguise and illusion, is the perfect canvas for a killer to cloak his handiwork in plain sight. While taking a friend's son trick or treating, Melinda Stark and Indie Porter, best friends and physical therapy business partners, make a tragic discovery. A life-sized dummy decked out in a witch costume turns out to be a corpse. Another woman, a few streets over is found dead, in exactly the same manner. Both were known to Melinda and Indie.

Using rhyming notes the killer moves the detectives around like pieces on a chessboard. He threatens further kills, thoroughly enjoying the mental swordplay. He becomes unhinged as Melinda decides to help on the case. She is heading right for the answer that might unearth his true motives and identity. As the tension builds and others are put in harm's way, the killer and Melinda inch ever closer to each other. Who will come out on top? Who will win the game?