Grijpstra is devastated when his aunt is murdered, and quickly becomes too involved in the case. Further problems arise when his long-lost son may have been the culprit, and two other detectives come to the police station questioning him about obstructing the investigation.
James Mason had predicted to his co-star Kay Lenz that the movie would be a flop at the box office. He said, "You mark my words. All films that are predominantly in thick snow are a flop at the box office. Somehow they make an audience feel uncomfortably cold and damp." It turned out he was right and the film flopped worldwide.