A couple of old lifelong friends rehash stories from their past over some lunch and cocktails in the big city. But as the afternoon rolls on, Brad tells another tale, a story that was told to him recently about his hometown. It's a story that involves missing women, a serial killer, and the return of a monster.
Flash back to 1995 - we meet Dylan Donovan, a third-year college student studying forensic psychology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. On assignment from school during his summer break, he comes upon an over twenty-year-old photograph of a shark attack victim that shows something sinister at play. It now appears that someone may have assisted in what was labeled one of the island's worst shark attacks.
With the help of a new love interest, Diane and his troublesome brother, Andrew, they slowly put the pieces together and unravel one of the most terrifying secrets his small town has ever encountered.
Enter Joseph, a good looking, shifty drifter who goes from town to town, usually finding work at the local car station as a mechanic. It's his yearly trek that starts somewhere new and ends in Amity, especially this time of year. Joseph has a history and a special friend here in Amity and he looks to say hello to real soon. He also is one of most ruthless serial killers this country has ever known and continues to kill women who spark a dark deep sadness in him. This happens often.
A newly formed task force has been tracking this ruthless monster across the United States and believes that he has taken refuge in one of the small beach villages on the east coast. Two investigators take the lead even though there's not much evidence to go on.
One of the most confusing traits for the authorities is figuring out how Joseph is disposing of his victims. On land, he usually buries them deep in a forest, but in Silent Bay, he uses the greatest killing machine the world has ever seen to finish his jobs, the Great White shark. But unfortunately, on one specific day, he doesn't feed his friend in time, and it unleashes hell upon the local beach goers.
After the bloody attacks around the island, Flapper, an old mainstay down at the piers, suspects Joseph isn't who he pretends to be. He starts to poke and prod around, looking into Joe's business, and sees a devious side that no one else seems to see. Feeling the pressure and a darkness from Joe, Flapper vanishes.
As Dylan and Diane move closer to figuring out what may have happened years ago in their small, peaceful hamlet, Joseph has taken a liking to Diane. Feeling the heat, Joe makes one last ditch effort to kill one last time and move on. He sets his plan in motion.
With Diane's sudden disappearance, Dylan frantically tries to find her while Joseph brings his new prize to feed his friend. It's a race for him and the investigators to rescue the love of his life and to end a reign of terror that has lasted for decades.
