The first book introduces the audience to several of the main characters in the series. Opening with a horrific crime that is the catalyst for events that takes place throughout the storyline. The main character is Eli Booth who runs an intricate network of criminal masterminds and leaders from every prison gang. The work of the network spreads from prison to prison as they attack law enforcement at it's core. The law enforcement community doesn't put the pieces together because the crimes appear random. However, each murder helps catapult his son's, Thomas', legal career into the political arena. Thomas' elevation into the political arena allows Eli to play on the same field as the government and creates new targets and new situations for him to manipulate.