During the depths of the Great Depression in Ypsilanti, Michigan, a seven-year-old boy is found frozen to death under the Frog Island footbridge in Depot Town after being reported missing the night before by his parents. Upon examination, the Washtenaw County coroner discovers the child is the victim of foul play.

After three years of investigation, the Ypsilanti and Michigan state police are no closer to making an arrest than they were when Richard Streicher Jr.'s body was discovered. Local gossips and many police are convinced they know who the guilty party is, but proving it in a court of law is a different matter. Who stabbed Richard Streicher Jr. to death?