Trama

Vanessa, a magazine writer, tries to land the interview of a lifetime with renowned mystery author Martin Clayborne.

Pop culture writer and aspiring novelist Vanessa Sills (Lenz) escapes run-ins with her ex by retreating to a quaint B&B in rural Washington. A chance meeting with the illustrious, elusive, and reclusive author - and local resident - Martin Clayborne (Dalton) has Vanessa star-struck and determined to land an exclusive interview. With a big promotion on the line, a persistent Vanessa creates reasons to see Martin, who eventually becomes intrigued enough with her honest offer to let him finally tell his side of the story to his devoted fans. A spark ignites between them as they spend more time together during the interviews, but it's clear they are worlds apart and that Vanessa has put her own aspirations, dreams, and romantic life aside.

Long having put aside her dream of being a novelist, Vanessa Sills works as a writer at Portland-based Westside Lifestyle Magazine, which presents pop culture trends or tries to set those trends through what they print. Ahead of schedule as usual for her next article deadline, she is convinced by her best friend Amber to take a relaxing weekend getaway at the Thompson Lake Inn, Amber's parents' bed and breakfast in upstate Washington at the end of their off-season, meaning that they will have the place all to themselves. The topic of Vanessa's next article has the potential to change when she discovers that celebrity mystery novelist Martin Clayborne lives in Thompson Lake. Martin once led a very fast and public life but dropped out of sight five years ago, no longer doing interviews, wanting his novels instead to speak for themselves, which they have in their success. With a promotion to editor on the line, Vanessa promises the magazine's editor-in-chief Peter Roth an exclusive interview with Martin, even before she has asked Martin for one. With Vanessa working on getting that interview without success as Martin sees her as just another nosy reporter who he's turned down time after time, the process gets to the point that not only is the promotion on the line, but that she will probably be fired if she doesn't come through. With Martin being just another local who gets involved in community affairs, Vanessa gets a possible in with him in his role as the organizer of this year's Founder's Day festivities. In working on the interview, Vanessa may discover things about Martin that she did not expect and at the same time may re-evaluate the direction of her own life.—Huggo

Mystery novel writer Martin Clayborne retired three years ago from public life, to idyllic rural Lake Thompson. When magazine writer and would be-novelist Vanessa Sills is convinced by a friend to take the weekend off, despite a deadline for a promotion, just there, she spots and recognizes him as her favorite author. He turns out to be shy for media since a vicious article, but charming and committed to the town, like her friend's parents, especially with founder's day approaching. Despite an initial refusal to give any interview, a friendship is built over common interests, including his dog. He agrees to share pieces of information and even encourages her to finish a novel herself.—KGF Vissers