Another small town biopsy of a murder with a new lead this time--Circuit Judge Mickey Tostini who wonders whether he'll be re-elected considering the opposition of Perry Bobbin, ""enough to gag a horse."" He also wonders how to stay alive after a convict he sentenced breaks out and whether a certain man really killed his wife, even after a first degree murder verdict is brought in. Hensley handles this kind of case with limber humor and vigor--he's one of those nice guys you like to see finish first.