Welcome to Briersburg State Prison: a notorious and archaic prison whose reputation for violence and upheaval has its roots in the grand opening back in 1842. Augustovson (Dane) Erickson is a tough, no-nonsense prison guard who operates just beneath the ethics curve; Dane calls Briersburg home forty hours a week. It is there in D block where the life of Donny Quinn, one of Dane's fellow guards, is found dead on the bottom tier in what appears to be an accident or a suicide. Dane is dubious of both scenarios. Dane is also embroiled in a lustful affair with April Delgado, the wife of a prisoner in D block. That lust morphs into love when there is a Murder in D Block. The victim is April's husband, Raphael Delgado. All eyes are on Dane as the most likely suspect; this includes the brash F.B.I. agent, John Lafayette, whose interest in a routine, state matter is curious. Dane soon learns that the unusual death of Donny Quinn may be linked to the murder of April's husband. In a crime replete with strife, intrigue, misplaced motives, and mass arrogance, Dane finds more than he bargained for when that lust turned into love.