A serial killer is stalking Jackson Junction! A serial killer who has murdered three elderly people, who have played controversial roles in the life of August (Augie) Hans Kruger. Augie and his older cousin, Willie, find themselves as the prime suspects of the three murders by Jackson Junction Police Chief Junior Phillips, who will do anything within his power to see the Krugers sent to prison for the rest of their lives. Ironically, that's exactly the goal of the serial killer, at least in the case of Augie Kruger. And, if the serial killer can't see Augie found guilty of the murders and sent to prison, the only other recourse will be to have Augie murdered as well. Augie starts the month of August, 1970, simply planning a family reunion on the 31st to resolve some feuds, mend some fences and bring all the Krugers, American and German, back into one happy fold. That, in itself, seems to be an impossibility, since nobody is ready to raise a white flag first. However, August of 1970 turns out to be the hottest month in the history of Augie's home town of Jackson Junction. And, not just hot with 90-degree temperatures. The heat really gets turned up when Augie and his older cousin, Willie, are arrested and charged with the three murders. A trial must be held in a hot and humid court room, jammed to capacity with spectators, newspaper, radio and television reporters and a jury which must try to survive death threats from one of its own members, if they don't vote guilty. Ron, a famous defense attorney from Florida, has promised Augie and Willie that neither will ever go to prison. However, Barbara, Jackson Junction's first woman prosecutor, is just as sure that she can send the Kruger cousins to prison for the rest of their lives. And, Barbara looks to have the upper hand when she announces that she has a secret eye-witness, who will testify to seeing Augie and Willie stab at least two of the murder victims to death.