1932 -- The Great Depression lingers on. Hoover is up for re-election. But a small-town murder trial gains national recognition and eclipses the presidential race. Already serving a life sentence for poisoning a state senator, Susannah Lou Packard is now on trial for slitting the throat of a state representative. How could such a quiet, demure, unprepossessing woman execute such heinous deeds?

Newspaper reporter Nancy Remington resolves to uncover the story behind these horrible crimes. Through in-depth interviews with Susannah, Nancy pieces together a tale she's certain will win journalistic acclaim, perhaps the coveted Pulitzer Prize.

But some of Susannah's facts don't add up. Are they merely little slips of the tongue, just the simple musings of a misunderstood victim? Or is Susannah hiding something? And will Nancy discover the truth in time?