The story centers on Detective Aaron Chase, who identifies the grisly evidence as belonging to Dr. Natalie Brooks, a local physician long presumed to have left the mountain town voluntarily. The investigation quickly moves past an initial theory of a crime of passion, revealing a web of secrets involving an ex-husband, a debt-ridden geologist, and organized criminal activity. While the case seemingly closes with an arrest and verdict, the narrative jumps ahead eleven years when a new investigator arrives to challenge the established resolution.

Kerpi, whose background includes growing up in a family of government lawyers, focuses on the psychological weight of institutional failure rather than simple plot mechanics. The novel joins a genre tradition defined by authors like Tana French, targeting readers drawn to atmospheric, character-driven mysteries. Treacherous Path is available through major retailers including Amazon and Barnes & Noble.