In California, a serial killer abducts beautiful women and eviscerates them. In the process of searching for him, retired policeman Tim Hess, 70, and young detective Merci Rayborn find romance.

"It's summer 1977 and closeted lesbian Tammy Larson can't be herself anywhere. Not at her strict Christian high school, not at her conservative Orange County church and certainly not at home, where her ultrareligious aunt relentlessly organizes antigay political campaigns. Tammy's only outlet is writing secret letters in her diary to gay civil rights activist Harvey Milk--until she's matched with a real-life pen pal who changes everything. Sharon...