Bailey Fowler, a confessed murderer, escaped from prison 16 years ago. Now, by sheer chance, the cops stumble on him--and a case long dead comes murderously back to life.

Royce Fowler, old and sick, ready it "miraculously back to life." His son's reappearance gives Royce a last chance to heal an old wound. And Kinsey Millhone gets to help... though it nearly costs Kinsey her life.