Mark Manning is the owner and publisher of the Dumont Daily Register the local newspaper of his small Wisconsin town. Living with his lover, architect Neil Waite, and his nephew and ward, Thad Quatrain, Mark finds that life in Dumont is usually quiet. The biggest news this summer is Thad's involvement in a community theater group, alternating in a production's lead role with another boy, egotistical athlete Jason Thrush. The two have a verbal clash at dress rehearsal that is soon forgotten -- until Jason turns up dead on opening night. Jason's death is proved to be murder, and public opinion turns against Thad, who's become the main suspect. Certain that Thad is innocent, Mark resolves to clear Thad's name -- but that means finding out what really happened that night, and possibly putting himself and his loved ones in mortal danger.