A small Iowa county, unused to violent crime, was now under assault by a serial killer, dubbed "the Slugger" because his weapon of choice was a baseball bat, a Louisville Slugger. Hardin County Sheriff Jeff Dolan and Alden city police chief Sam Bannock work the cases together, with a cast of capable assistants, ranging from an out-of-state private eye to an eager reporter to an efficient office aide. But the bodies keep piling up in spite of assistance from the offices of the Iowa State Police, the local and national FBI personnel, and state and local judicial officials. Along the way, various characters are met as the lawmen strive to solve the killings before The Slugger strikes again.