Detektyw Alex Cross pisze książkę opartą na przekazach swojej babci z czasów KKK.
Książka (typowo jak dla tego autora) zawiera sporo opisów brutalnych morderstw, ale zasadniczo jej akcja dzieje się głównie w sądzie. Główny bohater jest prawnikiem.

From his grandmother, Nana Mama, Alex Cross has been told the story of his great uncle Abraham and his struggle throughout the era of the Ku Klux Klan. Alex then recounts this tale to his children though his novel called Trial. A lawyer at the turn of the century, a man named Ben Corbett, represents the toughest cases. Many of his cases are opposing racism and oppression, and because of the cases he's fighting for, he risks the life of his wife and children. When President Roosevelt asks Ben personally to go to his hometown to investigate upon rumors of the Ku Klux Klan's resurgence, he cannot refuse. Upon entering Eudora, Mississippi, Corbett meets Abraham Cross and his enchanting granddaughter Moody. He enlists their help and the two Crosses introduce Corbett to the other side of the idyllic southern town. Lynchings have become commonplace in the town, and the black residents of the town live in constant fear. Ben aims to break the reign of terror, but finding out who is behind it all may break his heart.