Detective Dave Mason of the Santa Monica Police Department ignites a firestorm of controversy when a beautiful young girl from a rich Muslim family is found dead in a car arson fire. Mason is outraged to have to fight his own department, the community, and his skeptical girlfriend who push toward labeling this as a hate crime, or even domestic abuse, when he knows the answer lies in the girl's silent family. Joseph Wambaugh fans will enjoy this behind the scenes look at a police department in a liberal city which cannot accept that an honor killing has come to the glitzy shores of upscale, tourist-destination Santa Monica.