Back when she lived in Chicago, Detective Serena Stevens brought a vicious serial killer named Elvis Howell to justice. Though he was given the death sentence, Howell's execution brought her little comfort.
Cut to New York City, present day. The body of a woman is found, bearing all the hallmarks of a Howell kill. The only problem is, Elvis Howell has been dead for eight months. Stevens is faced with two grim possibilities; either there's a copycat killer on the loose, or she was instrumental in putting an innocent man to death.
As they investigate, Det. Nichols and Stevens meet DALE GRISCO, an old acquaintance of Howell's, ERNIE VALENTINE, a mentally challenged man who works for Dale, and REVEREND SHELBY REDDING, a prison chaplain who stood by dozens of men as they were put to death� perhaps one too many.