Based in Chicago, twelve interwoven stories relate the protagonist's cases leading up to Christmas Day, 1934. Every story transpires within a day's time frame and finishes with a holiday good-feel ending. Each case has a humorous aspect to match the protagonist's uncanny ability to be at the wrong place at the right time. Throughout his exploits, Nick Verriet manages to maintain a devil-my-care attitude, yet he remains crucially aware of the plight of those struck down by the Stock Market Crash of 1929. During those simpler times, Nick fashions a personal justice based upon an unfaltering sense of fairness, always on the side of the little guy.