Crimes on the normally tranquil campus of Mellon University usually amount to students sneaking beer into fraternity houses or parking in the faculty lots. But now the body of a professor lies sprawled on the stairs in the chemistry building. At first, the death appears to be from a simple heart attack, but Eric Berg's investigation reveals a rushed cremation, an all-too-calm widow, and one lone piece of evidence—a labcoat worn by the victim.
 
   Soderquist has invested Berg with a thorough knowledge of police procedure and a solid understanding of criminology. He has also given him a nagging mid-life crisis. As he investigates the death of the professor, Berg quickly discovers his attraction to the young female detective he works with and is all-too-weak commitment to his marriage vows. He also learns that he and his colleagues in the seemingly dignified community of academics are caught up in an ugly and often dangerous web of temptation, falsehood, injustice, and overwhelming ambition.