As Lethal Prey opens, Boone is heading for Buffalo to re-establish his relationship with his long estranged son Michael, and meet his daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren. His son is, from all appearances, a successful attorney headed for partnership in one of Buffalo's larger firms. Later, Michael inadvertently stumbles onto information that has the potential of unmasking a long running bribery and money laundering scheme involving several partners.
The firm has recently gone woke and implemented a DEI policy. Michael finds himself ensnared in a bogus complaint, and suspended from practice by the firm. As things unravel from there, Boone & Bell, LLP have to bring all of their resources to bear as actors within the firm, and their captive commercial appraisal service, try to destroy Michael professionally. Eventually, Clive Townsend has to come out of retirement to represent Michael, framed for the murder of the complainant.
At the same time, Marianne's husband Luke is beginning to take steps towards his own high-end restaurant. Their relationship, rocky after the death of their first child in infancy, is stronger than ever. Marianne eagerly looks forward to a new and exciting chapter in her life.
But Luca Aiello, a contract killer from in one of Marianne's earlier cases, now in jail awaiting trial for several murders and arson, has different plans.