Jack Tobin has left his roots in New York City far behind, making a name in Miami as a top-notch attorney. But he's dissatisfied with his life and has finally decided to do something about it, making plans to open a "country" practice in small-town Florida. The whole move is bringing mixed feelings to the forefront and those feelings are exacerbated when he reads the obituary of a man who was once his best friend on the NYC streets.

Attending the funeral, he finds out that his old friend's son, Rudy, is on death row for murder. Rudy has a low IQ but is a beautiful person, who's managed to maintain his optimism even through 10 years of waiting to die for a crime he didn't commit. As Jack renews old friendships and delves into the terrible murder, he faces some high-level corruption and people who are willing to do anything to make sure Rudy's verdict is not overturned.

While this book has much to recommend it from a legal thriller standpoint, it adds a dimension not usually found in this genre. Jack's personal growth from a high-powered attorney pursuing ruthless cases for big business to a man caring about a friend's son on death row brings a deep emotional level to this book. I do think the love affair with an old friend is a little too expected and easy, but other than that the characters and plot in this book are well-drawn and interesting.