A young boy is found dead on a beach in the small seaside town of Gracepoint, spurring a major investigation led by Detective Emmett Carver, who has just arrived in Gracepoint to fill a high position in the town's police force -- a position previously promised to Detective Ellie Miller, who must put any resentment aside and work the case with her prickly new boss.
After Detective Carver's heart condition worsens, he has 24 hours before his boss removes him from the case. So he and Miller race against the clock to find out who killed Danny Solano. Meanwhile, Beth Solano seeks out advice from Paul Coates, and Susan Wright shares a deep secret that no one saw coming.