When Amanda Boudreau is raped and murdered, it's small-time black hustler Tee Bobby Hulins prints that are found at the crime scene. Tee Bobby pleads innocence, but then attempts suicide in his holding cell. Why? Lawyer Perry LaSalles takes on the defence, but his motives are fuelled with guilt.

James Lee Burke is one of America's best-selling authors. His books have won many prestigious awards for crime writing.