Serien kretsar kring vardagen hos medelklassfamiljen Heck som lever i den lilla staden Orson i Indiana. Mamma Frances, kallad "Frankie", var tidigare underpresterande bilförsäljare men sadlade om till tandsköterska, pappa Mike är chef vid ett stenbrott och de tre barnen är cyniske tonåringen Axl, socialt obekväma Sue och minstingen Brick som ibland visar udda karaktärsdrag.

Weaving harrowing narratives of quiet Middle American towns torn apart by provocative murders. Each town's tale is given life by the combined perspectives of its residents, who are more than just storytellers. They are also key witnesses to each of the crimes, and they hold critical clues to puzzles that not only have forever changed their lives but how they have come to view their once-idyllic hometowns.