Based on the true events revolving around Beaver Island, Michigan, and King James Strang... Elder Island. 1856. Peter Wiggentstein turned to the men of the five island families around him and warned, "Tell nothing of this," as the men all looked at the body of their former Reverend - gunned down just outside his own home - and a decision was made. They secretly buried the body on Graves Island, and the reign of America's first and only king ended; but for every end, there is always a new beginning, for an evil was born that night. Five families have always controlled the Island. Five families share the Island's fortune; five families share its curse.

A true crime writer investigating a small town murder spree uncovers the devastating truth that changes the town forever.

In 1978 Sheriff Reed captures the deranged serial killer known as The Death Valley Drifter in the desert and the criminal is sentenced to death. In the present day, Sheriff Reed is near retirement and will be replaced by his son. Whilst they are having a meal in a rest stop diner in the middle of the desert, a runaway car with three thieves who robbed a casino stops in the spot for refueling. One of the robbers is the former boyfriend of the waitress Maya, and another criminal is wounded in the backseat. There is a shootout among the thieves and the sheriffs and their car explodes, however the body of the wounded criminal vanishes and the survivors discover that they are stranded in the place. Furthermore, they are stalked and chased by a fiend with stench known as The Reeker.