Jud Phoenix, retired lawyer and fly fisherman, travels happily to Conundrum Resort in Montana from his fishing cabin, to meet his girl friend, Dr. Victoria Scott, who is there for a summer medical conference with some of her staff. He has no idea that he is heading into a vortex of events that will threaten personal humiliation and their relationship. Initially, Jud meets the man who once ran away with Jud's wife. The humiliation of this incident coincides with meeting Luther Cretaceous, hedge fund manager, who seems to have a relationship with Dr. Scott. And then, Jud shoots a bear that appears to threaten the resort and its guests, including a whole day camp o children. These initial events cascade in a series of murders and mysteries which he must confront and solve. There are shoot-outs, assaults, and confrontations along the way. Jud ends unsure of what he has done, and then he meets the final bear.
