James Patterson’s strongest team since the Women’s Murder Golf club are the initial responders when their seafront city is targeted by vicious thieves.

The Inn at Gloucester stands alone on the rocky shoreline. Its seclusion fits former Boston law enforcement detective Expenses Robinson, beginner owner and innkeeper. As long as the dozen citizens pay their rent, Robinson doesn’t talk to any queries. Neither does Sheriff Clayton Spears, who lives on the next floor.

Then Mitchell Cline arrives, with a lethal new about The Inn method of conducting business. His team of regional killers break laws, deal medications, and bring assault to the doorways of the Inn. That’s when Robinson realizes, by using journalist Susan Solie, that departing the city is definitely no get away from the reality of bad — or the duty for action.

Teaming up with Sheriff Spears and two fearless residents — Army veteran Nick Jones and groundskeeper Effie Johnson — Robinson begins a risky defense. The solitary inhabitants from the Inn must learn, before time operates out, that their only choice is between standing up together — or dying by itself.