Clint Eastwood directs this true-life tale of murder in the deep south. John Kelso (John Cusack) is a writer sent from New York to the small southern town of Savannah, Georgia to cover a wealthy antique dealer's Christmas party. Kelso is strangely attracted to this small town and its eccentric and colourful population and, when the antique dealer, Jim Williams (Kevin Spacey), murders his gay lover, Kelso feels compelled to help out in the case and immerse himself in the strange world of Savannah society.