When Congressman Shapply, a leader in the crusade against offensive lyrics in rap songs, is murdered, his stepson Nick is arrested and charged with murder. For veteran music jour-nalist Mick Sever, covering this case is personal. Sever, a child-hood friend of the accused killer, believes his friend's claims of innocence. With the help of an old flame, Mick must pen-etrate the violent world of rap music and the bizarre Shapply family-the icy matriarch Alicia, the disturbed daughter Amber, and the religious brother-in-law-to find the truth. The investigation will take Mick from the halls of the Capitol to the beaches of Barbados. Threatened by unknown assailants and dangers at every turn, Mick becomes the hunted as a shadowy killer turns the tables in a stunning climax.