Inset Magazine has survived a series of upheavals in the publishing industry. CONNOR JAMES, the magazine's editor-in-chief, has not. His body is discovered the morning after a party celebrating Inset's 50th anniversary. Known for his blunt criticism and abrasive personality, it's no surprise that the list of potential suspects is a long one.
Suspects include FRANK BOLINGER, a passionate art director with a notorious temper, who was seen having a heated argument with Connor the very day of his murder. PATRICIA CARUSO, one of Inset's leading writers, is also a suspect. She certainly has a lot to gain since she is the one who steps into the role of editor-in-chief in the wake of Connor's death. When Nichols and Stevens question Patricia, they discover that Connor has neutered a piece she wrote on the Russian mob, leading some to wonder if Connor's death could be connected to the mob.
Even Patricia's daughter MIA CARUSO, soon becomes a suspect. An aspiring writer herself, Mia was having a secret affair with Connor. But just as Nichols and Stevens are making progress, their efforts are halted by FORREST CARUSO, Patricia's ex-husband and a notorious lawyer for the mob, who warns them to back off. There were many reasons for people to dislike Connor James. But whose hatred was enough to drive them to murder?