As a seasoned political consultant, Dev Conrad approaches working on the reelection campaign of Illinois Senator Warren Nichols with trepidation. The senator's best friend and adviser has just committed suicide. And though Conrad agrees with Nichols's political positions, he's leery of the senator's reputation for sleeping around.
When a major televised debate proves to be a disaster for the senator, Dev is forced to look into the backgrounds of the senator's staff, which includes several people who have tangled and troubled relationships with their boss.
Dev's investigation takes him through the highs and lows of the political system, the well-meaning people on both sides of the aisle, and the increasingly dark forces that work to destroy reputations and lives. It also leads him into the frightening murder of a sleazy political op who knows something about Senator Nichols that could completely destroy his career.