Through extensive research, Madden examines the life of the elusive Nelle Harper Lee. Lee's one and only book, To Kill a Mockingbird, was published in 1960 to much acclaim, including winning a Pulitzer Prize and spawning an Academy Award winning movie. Lee never wanted to be defined by this accomplishment, and Madden uncovers the publicity-shy author who lived quite a normal existence as a down-to-earth Southern woman who enjoyed baseball games and golf.