New Iberia, Louisiana. Inspector Dave Robicheaux is tracking a serial killer who preys on young women. Just as he discovers a new victim, he meets Elrod Sykes, a Hollywood star in town to shoot a film about the American Civil War. The film is financed by Julius Balboni, alias Baby Feet, a kingpin in the local mafia. Elrod tells Dave that he has seen human remains wrapped in chains in a swamp, bringing long-lost memories from Dave's past back to haunt him...