Author Richard Castle joins NYC Detective Kate Beckett to help solve the case of a serial killer who is reenacting murders from Castle's novels; Castle becomes very intrigued with the murders and continues to shadow Beckett, much to her chagrin.

Nothing is as it seems when Castle and Beckett investigate what appears to be the assassination of an intelligence operative. Meanwhile, Beckett's romance with Demming threatens her relationship with Castle, forcing them to confront their feelings for each other.

An unknown woman falls out of a casket along with the original deceased when pallbearers lose control of the casket at a funeral; the investigation takes Beckett and Castle into the world of amorous, bed-hopping physicians.