Detectives Goren and Eames investigate the murder of an eyeglass store clerk, shot to death during what appear to be an assault case.

When a second optician is later murdered in similar circumstances, Goren and Eames come to suspect that a company is involved here, somehow as cardboard counter-top advertising blue contact lenses have obviously been moved so that the police will notice them. Later, a third murder then takes place, involving same modus operandi, this time on a plastic surgeon. As they investigate further, the front flap of the case seems to have racial overtones. The finger of suspicion immediately points to a schizophrenic man obsessed with Marilyn Monroe, and his delusions about the damage caused by cosmetic beauty enhancements. Even later, the detectives receive an anti-Semitic letter apparently not sent by the killer. But while the suspect is in custody another optician is killed. Then, Goren believes that a person close to the man may have taken advantage of his illness and his crimes to commit extortion.