Henry Stanfield is the new Truth Commissioner in Northern Ireland. Part of his job is to facilitate the peaceful sharing of power in Belfast. However, the investigation into the murder of a teenage boy, who acted as an informer, brings to light more buried secrets than either London or Dublin want to become known, and various people, both at home in Ireland and as far away as America, find out that old sins cast long shadows.

The relationship between two brothers, a father trying to connect with his sons and the young woman who gets between the three of them. The story begins when Caleb Sinclaire reluctantly picks up his brother Peter at college and brings him and his new girlfriend Emma home for the Thanksgiving holiday. Caleb, who recently broke up with his long-time girlfriend and is wary of relationships, warns Peter that Emma will end up hurting him, but he can't stop himself from being drawn to her. As Caleb's infatuation with Emma grows, he must decide whether to act on his feelings or protect his brother's first love.