Sounds like an easy gig for New Orleans private eye Lucien Caye. Escort a pretty lady to the bayous to confirm her father had died accidentally. Gator got him. Ann Kinzer does not believe it was an accident and brings Lucien to see an old crone called The Chula who tells an unbelievable story about the descendants of slaves who lived in the holds of slave ships, escaped into the swamp. They are as white as sheets, bulging eyes, long fangs, fingernails like talons. Zombies? No. They are Bluegums. Lucien and Ann make a chilling discovery – old tales are sometimes based on the truth.