The biggest man in Shinnaukee is Reuven Mahone who acquired his newspaper by letting another man, Kylie, the music critic, go to jail for a murder committed by Mahone. Kylie's escape, the danger to Mahone and the threat of old scandal spark off a cat and mouse chase that involves Mahone's double crossing wife, Kylie's family, two possible heirs for the paper, and Kylie's desperation. Full steam.