The mountains are a haven for the independent, roughneck descendants of Prohibition-era moon-shiners. The valley is home to developers eager to turn the pristine Potatoes into a giant tourist trap. To make matters more complicated, a Tater, as the mountain folk are called, has been convicted of the murder of millionaire developer J.J. Hawkinfield. Some people swear the wrong man was convicted, and Qwill is inclined to agree when he hears what transpired before the trial.

But if Forest Beechum didn't do the dirty deed, who did? With Qwill, Koko, and Yum Yum on the case, the killer won't get away with murder.