The Man in the Net

John Hamilton and his wife Linda relocate from New York to Stoneville, Connecticut, where John continues sketching the town's children and hopes to find a new muse for his art. The move is driven by Linda's wish to escape the city, but the quiet countryside does little to ease her instability. John's artistic ambitions are tempered by a failed show and harsh reviews, leaving him frustrated in a place that feels temporary.

Linda longs to return to the city, where John has been offered a lucrative job at his old firm. He resists the idea, arguing that city life would worsen Linda's mental illness and alcoholism. The tension highlights their contrasting desires and anchors their life in Stoneville as they adjust to a new routine.

One evening John comes home to find Steve Ritter, the local policeman, in his house with Linda upstairs changing clothes. John remains cold and distant toward Steve, while Linda's behavior signals mounting personal tensions between them. The scene underscores the pull of conflicting loyalties and the strain on their marriage.

Linda pushes John to attend a birthday party at Brad and Vickie Carey's home, despite her own reluctance. John goes alone, explaining Linda's absence with a migraine as he tries to fit in with guests who feel like outsiders. The social gap emphasizes John's status as an outsider among Linda's circle.

At the party Linda arrives with a black eye, claiming John inflicted it and that the migraine was a lie. The accusation shatters the party's civility and exposes the fragility of their relationship. Later, Linda admits to having an extramarital affair with Steve Ritter, deepening John's sense of betrayal. The party's veneer collapses as personal betrayals come to light.

John travels to New York to have a drink with his old boss, but he is determined to decline the job offer for the sake of Linda's welfare. The trip highlights the conflict between Linda's city desires and John's commitment to stabilizing their lives. Linda's schemes to re-enter the city continue behind his back.

Upon his return, Linda is missing and a suitcase belonging to her is spotted at a city dump. The discovery triggers fear and prompts police and townsfolk to scrutinize John as a potential suspect. The tension marks a turning point, as the community's suspicion shifts toward him.

With Linda missing, villagers and police suspect John of murder, and his house is pelted with stones. Steve Ritter arrives to arrest him, forcing John to flee. He seeks refuge with those he can trust while the net tightens around him.

John finds sanctuary with the town's children, who know of a secret cave where he can hide from pursuit. He endures the strain of hiding as the investigation closes in. The cave becomes a temporary refuge from the growing danger.

Evidence appears linking Linda to another man, and a tape recording is left as bait to lure the killer. The mystery intensifies as John tries to separate fact from rumor while out of sight. The setup suggests the truth may be more layered than a simple betrayal.

The tape indicates that Brad Carey, Linda's lover, was involved with her, triggering further questions about motive and opportunity. John contemplates the possibility that someone is playing him for a fall. The development shifts the focus from Steve Ritter to others who knew Linda.

John learns the deeper truth: it was Mr. Carey, Brad's father, who killed Linda to protect his cowardly son from consequences. The revelation reframes the earlier betrayals and the motive behind the crime. The case moves from a personal scandal to a tragic family cover-up.