New Iberia, Louisiana. Mob boss Tony Nemo has a Civil War sword he'd like to give to local author Levon Broussard. The sword's history can be traced back to Broussard's ancestors, and Tony figures it belongs to Levon. But Tony's intentions aren't so pure; he believes the gift will lead to a slice of Broussard's lucrative film adaptations. When T.J. Dartez, the New Iberian local responsible for the death of Molly Robicheaux, dies, Robicheaux must clear his own name-- without being sure of his own innocence.