Plot

Jessica visits a women's prison and is held captive when an uprising occurs because of abuse and murder at the facility.

During Jessica class on creative writing in a woman's prison, the doctor is found dead, killed by a morphine injection. Convict Mary Stamm's fingerprints were found on the vial of drugs used. Next, there is a revolt, which takes Jessica hostage but is ill-prepared. Even the demands are a matter for debate. Jessica is now asked to investigate and, while she digs into malpractices apparently involving warden Gates, who has political ambition, and conflicts involving staff as well as prisoners, another staff member is killed. Jessica discovers things are not as they appear.—KGF Vissers

Jessica substitutes for a sick friend who is teaching a creative writing course at a women's prison. Some of them write quite well with one of them, Mary Stamm, showing real promise. There is a good deal of tension among the prisoners who legitimately complain about poor food and medical care. The new warden, Elizabeth Gates, has been trying to improve conditions but has had little success thus far. She has been in a battle with the prison physician, Dr. Irene Matthews, who is threatening to reveal information that could harm the Warden's electoral ambitions. When Matthews is found dead, the evidence points to Mary whose fingerprints are on the vial of drugs that was used to kill her. The inmates take over the prison and it's left to Jessica to solve the murder before people start being killed.—garykmcd