Edward Malus is a California police officer who takes a leave of absence after witnessing a tragedy on the job. Taking pills to soothe the effects of his post-traumatic stress disorder, Edward receives a letter from his ex-fiance, Willow, requesting his assistance in finding her missing child. She asks him come to Summerisle, a small island off the coast of Puget Sound, and help her find her daughter, Rowan. When Edward starts investigating Rowan's disappearance, he hears different stories depending on who he speaks to. He hears that Rowan is either not Willow's daughter, she may be nonexistent, dead, or soon to die. Refusing to give up, Edward delves deeper into this strange community shrouded in mystery, secrecy, and deception.