Stephen Byrne, a struggling writer, lives in a quiet riverside home with his wife, Marjorie. When Stephen tries to take advantage of his housemaid, Emily Gaunt, she resists, and he accidentally kills her. Panicked, he seeks the help of his invalid brother, John, to dispose of the body in the river. Although reluctant, John aids Stephen, driven by loyalty and a sense of familial obligation. However, as days pass, guilt gnaws at John, while Stephen becomes increasingly emboldened, seeing the incident as inspiration for his writing.

Tension escalates as the community begins to suspect foul play in Emily's sudden disappearance. Stephen's manipulative nature contrasts sharply with John's moral disintegration. The river, a silent witness to their crime, slowly gives up its secrets. Whispers and gossip grow louder, threatening to unravel the brothers' uneasy alliance. With suspicions mounting and conscience weighing heavily on John, the brothers' relationship becomes strained, and Marjorie senses an uneasy change in the household dynamics. Surrounding townsfolk and an inquisitive detective inch closer to uncovering the truth behind Emily's fate.