Mark Sloan, divorced, laid-off as a carpenter during the recent recession and now barely surviving as a part-time newspaper reporter, is suddenly confronted with the possibility someone is trying to kill him. His ex-wife, Ellen? Unlikely as he is still paying child support: he is the gift that will keep giving but only if he is alive to give. There are others, however, including Jeffrey Smith, administrator of a nursing home whose mismanagement of the facility Mark has publicly exposed in a Collinsville Banner feature story. Also Little Don Dornier, esteemed entrepreneur, furious at being exposed as a silent partner in the corporation seeking Vermont State approval of an industrial wind project on the ridge-line overlooking the village. Big Al, owner of the Banner, says plenty of newsworthy things happen, even in the smallest of villages like Collinsville. The paper's growing circulation proves him right. But his star reporter is confronted with more than the rancorous issues dividing the community: Mark is embroiled in personal challenges, even weakening to seduction by Julie, troubled wife of one of his best friend. A toxic blend threatening his life?