Two journalists from Miami arrive in a small town in Florida to investigate the case of a man who has been sentenced to death for killing the town sheriff by disemboweling him.

However, as the thread unravels and the story begins to touch on central themes of existence, such as the sanctity of sexuality, the delicate balance of dignity, and the illusions that arise within the family context, the two men start to explore the quicksand of their own lives.

This remarkable novel inspired the film of the same name by Lee Daniels.