Deadly Premonition — Frances York Morgan investigates the murder of 18-year-old Anna Graham in the rural town of Greenvale, Washington, USA. He takes the case because of the method of murder: the ritual murder of a young woman where red seeds were found on or near the body, similar to a number of other murders in the United States. York causes significant friction with his disdain for the locals, odd behavior, and tendency to interrupt conversations to report to an unseen man referred to as "Zach".
He is assisted by the town sheriff, George Woodman, who is traumatized by childhood abuse; Sheriff's Deputy Emily Wyatt, who becomes York's love interest; and Thomas McLane, George's mild-mannered assistant. In addition, York is regularly ambushed and attacked by the Cape Killer, who, according to town folklore, only kills when it rains.