A chance encounter at a Pensacola bar starts a deadly chain of events. As the reclusive Rutherford (Ford) Reilly nears his 50th birthday-and the 40th anniversary of the shark attack that cost him a shot as a child prodigy pianist-he feels the need to spill his guts to a stranger, who recognizes him as the "Miracle Kid." The life-changing event left Ford with a burden of guilt: His younger brother was killed by a second shark. His older brother ran away after a year. His parents piled on money woes, leading to his father's suicide on the second anniversary of the attack. His baby sister's wedding serves as the catalyst for falling in love with her future mother-in-law, a woman everyone else sees as an opportunistic cougar. Ford's naivete and social awkwardness lead him to misinterpret Ginger's true intentions. Then his sister betrays him in the most unimaginable way. Other dark family secrets come to light after nearly 40 years. Ford's sexual awakening brings other women into his life. Some may have ulterior motives as a reporter publishes a story on the accident anniversary. Ford learns the good Samaritan who saved his life on the beach had been dead for six years-with a connection to a ruthless local businessman. Ford assumes more guilt as another woman he's "made love to" end up dying, along with the stranger at the bar: Ford appears to be the only connection between their deaths.