Mona Mason's life is disrupted after her husband, Jonathon, suddenly dies from a freak bike accident. Her latest novel, Celestial World, has just been released, and she's about to go on a book tour. Her estranged niece comes back, claiming her inheritance. Mona is overwhelmed and believes she's having a heart attack and faints at Jonathon's funeral reception.

After waking up disoriented in a strange bed and an unknown apartment, Mona discovers her niece Chelsea and a mysterious group of doctors have taken over her care. They tell her she's had a breakdown after the death of her husband, Jon, and has been admitted to Peaceful Shelters for observation. Celestial World has been assigned to Chelsea, whom she hasn't seen in ten years. And her phone and computer are gone, and she's unable to call her publisher, best friend, or publicist. Fans have been told she's staying at an undisclosed resort, grieving for her dead husband. No one believes her when she says she is held against her will, not even her sister.

Mona finally breaks free from being trapped for weeks, escaping to a local Palm Springs mall. Exhilarated, she calls an Uber but realizes her driver is Jason Dean. She's been kidnapped by one of her most zealous fans. All she wants is her life back. And the nightmare continues for the best-selling sci-fi author of the Universe trilogy, having just fled the retirement home Peaceful Shelters.