Paul Keller, the minister of the town of Hollow Lake, is a man with a problem. He is having an affair with Veronica Dow, his son's teacher. Wracked by guilt and desire, Paul decides to fake his death, so he can start a new life with Veronica while his wife collects the insurance money.Paul goes to Hollow Lake, as he plants the evidence on his small boat, he loses his balance and hits his head as he falls into the water. Dazed and suffering from amnesia, Paul struggles up the shore and manages to get to the Lakeshore Motel. the same motel where he is having his secret liaison with Veronica. The rundown and isolated hotel is now run by the forlorn Charlene Hunt. When she realises that Paul is incoherent, Charlene uses the opportunity to make Paul her prisoner, friend and lover.Meanwhile, insurance investigator Tim Bishop arrives in town. Because no body is found, he suspects that Martha set the whole thing up with Paul to get the insurance money. A drinker and womanizer, Bishop is not ab