Suicide is not at all uncommon at West Point because of the harsh conditions cadets have to endure. The morning after a suicide occurred, however, something happened which suggested that the cadet's death was likely not a murder: someone had broken into the room where the body was placed and removed the dead cadet's heart.
Perplexed, frightened, and desperate to avoid negative publicity, West Point enlists the help of a civilian named Gus Landor, an acclaimed former New York City detective, to help them determine who killed their cadet. Landor, who had returned to the area surrounding West Point because of health issues and after losing his wife, was exceptionally bored and agreed to take on the case.
Landor begins to interview the deceased cadet's friends, family, and acquaintances. But when he comes across a young cadet named Edgar Allen Poe, he becomes intrigued. And despite Poe's penchant for drinking, his moodiness, and his murky past (as well as the fact that it seemed Poe was more interested in poetry than anything else), Landor enlists Poe's help to help him solve the case.
As the two begin to work the case together, Landor becomes increasingly more impressed with the young poet's skills, both observational and detective. But Poe's drinking starts to interfere with the investigation and with Poe's own abilities. Regardless, despite their many differences, Landor and Poe develop a deep connection and profound friendship. Landor, however, has deep secrets which he never revealed to Poe. Secrets which will surely break the two apart and perhaps endanger their case. In fact, as the two get closer to the truth, attempts are made on each of their lives. The ultimate truth is: the evil Marquis family had killed the cadets.
