Ole and Lena Lindstrom are a pair of Wisconsin political activists. They ask copyright lawyer Pennyworth to get copyright protection for a package of campaign ideas that focuses on gambling interests in the state. They plan to sponsor Veronica Gebhardt, a political newcomer who heads a think tank at the University of Wisconsin, which is where Melissa, Pennyworth's wife, teaches. Gebhardt is exploiting issues of domestic violence.

Ole is murdered and Lena is the prime suspect since they had just had a violent quarrel. A young plebe, the Lindstrum's relative, is attacked on the eve of the Army-Navy game and his uniform and identification tag are stolen. Melissa must travel to Annapolis to investigate this to determine whether this has any connection with the murder.

Service Dress Blue has less to do with the "Service" and more to do with the world of politics in Wisconsin. The plot is well constructed, with touches of humor, especially with the baseball trivia episode. The action is somewhat slow paced. There are some interesting items about the traditions at the U S Naval Academy.