Murder at Phantom Ship Lake tells the story of tragic events at a mountain retreat near Mt. Lassen. Professor Jim Talbot has assembled a small group of writers for a conference and includes Shannon, his young bride, as well as Viv, his former wife and a conference director. Carolyn Walker arrives and soon learns that each of those present has a good reason to detest Jim. The body of one of the attendees is found in Phantom Ship Lake, and suspicion falls on other participants. Missing on the trail for two days, a badly hurt Jim Talbot is found by a search party and taken to a hospital where another trial awaits him.