This work investigates the conviction of Bruno Richard Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh's son, arguing that the judicial process was fundamentally flawed and resulted in a miscarriage of justice. Ludovic Kennedy, a noted investigative journalist and broadcaster, applies his rigorous analytical skills to the evidence presented during the 1935 trial. By scrutinizing the prosecution's reliance on circumstantial evidence and the intense public pressure surrounding the case, Kennedy constructs a compelling argument that Hauptmann was a victim of a biased legal system and a desperate need for a scapegoat. The book utilizes trial transcripts, police reports, and contemporary accounts to challenge the established historical narrative.

Kennedy’s work is regarded as a significant contribution to the critical re-evaluation of the Lindbergh kidnapping case, noted for its meticulous attention to procedural detail. The text serves as a dense, specialist examination of legal fallibility that challenges the reader to reconsider the certainty of historical verdicts.