Riley Michaels has fled Washington, DC, to begin a new life in Manhattan as a Broadway publicity agent. She befriends Lane Brennan, an Academy Award-winning actor. After exhibiting post-trauma symptoms, she is forced to reveal that she was a victim of a violent crime. As their relationship deepens, and Lane patiently helps Riley through her recovery, they learn the perpetrator has been released from prison for what Riley believes is a fraudulent claim. Through their own investigation, she and Lane discover a trail of extortion and provide evidence that leads to the man's re-incarceration. Life settles down, and as Riley continues to recover, she learns that overcoming tragedy requires "something bigger," and for her it has been Lane's overwhelming patience and love. However, tragedy strikes again, creating in Lane and in other characters an almost maniacal thirst for retaliation. "Something Bigger" explores this retribution, and in the end, the reader tragically learns that revenge can be even more dangerous than the original transgression.