Someone is killing young females and disposing of their bodies in garbage bags and throwing them in abandoned wells throughout Baltimore. A third victim has been found and the police believe they have a serial killer.

Baltimore Police bring in FBI behavioral scientist Megan McKenan to work with veteran Detective Phil Jenkins in the Baltimore Aggravated Assault Task Force. Megan has returned from a leave of absence brought about by her failure to save a child from a killer such as the one they are now facing. She brings with her Max, a Labrador retriever. a retired FBI search and rescue dog.

Phil has called her into the investigation because he believes he has found a link. Two of the victims were foster children from the same agency. Upon investigating they find the home too quiet, with no children visible. They find that the parents of the foster children have all moved out of state. They suspect a scam involving unscrupulous lawyers.

When the killer focuses on Megan she calls on her former lover Reese DeTrapano, an FBI profiler, to assist them. This causes a conflict between Reese and Phil, and becomes a battle with fatal results for both.

The Well Meaning Killer is a well written police procedural. It has an interesting plot with smooth dialogue. The characters are well-developed with intriguing complications, You have to love Max. The Baltimore setting is excellently portrayed.