The author, formerly a death row lawyer in Florida, gives an account of his decision to retire from active work in the American capital punishment system in this book. He presents the cases he worked on - including those of confessed serial killer Ted Bundy and of Crazy Joe Spaziano, wrongly convicted but still on death row after 20 years. He describes how he and others fought to make the post-conviction system work, ensuring inmates the right to a fair appeal. The legal maze of appeals, death warrants, stays of execution, and executions, are emphasized.