After his conflict with Capone, Eliot Ness becomes the public safety director of Cleveland Ohio. He scores resounding victories against corrupt unions and organized crime, but confronts an enemy he might not be able to arrest. A string of grotesque serial killingsÑbodies dismembered and their parts scattered in an area known as Kingsbury RunÑthreatens the city. As public pressure mounts for the so-called Mad ButcherÕs capture, Ness learns of very likely suspectÑan alcoholic ex-physician, who calls himself Gaylord Sundheim. However, a potential stumbling block arises. The suspectÕs is the first cousin of Ness and the mayorÕs chief political enemy. Can Ness investigate Sundheim without appearing to be waging a smear campaign against a political enemy by attacking a relative who may be a harmless eccentric? Meanwhile, Ness begins suspects that Sundheim may have had an accomplice or a copycat follower. Can Ness unravel the mystery before public pressure and political opposition threaten his career?