A frag box is a place for collecting money to induce someone to kill a civilian.

Herman Jackson has a bail bond business in St. Paul. He was forced to leave his bookie operation in Detroit and is well settled now in St. Paul.

One of his steady customers is Charlie Victor, a Vietnam veteran who always pays his bailing fee from what he calls his frag box. Jackson has become friendly with Charlie.

Charlie is beaten to death in broad daylight for no apparent reason. For some reason Charlie has willed his frag box to Jackson. Jackson is in need of cash. In addition to that he wants justice for Charlie.

With the help of newspaper reporter Anne Packard, he sets out to find the box. In their search they become targets for thugs who want the box and also for the FBI. There are flashbacks to Charlie's experience in Vietnam which give clues to the surprising end.

Frag Box is a fast-paced, straightforward story. There is plenty of action from compelling characters. The dialogue is sharp, with a wisecracking hero. The scenes of St. Paul's Railroad Island, Minnesota's Iron Range and the tunnels under St. Paul are very graphic.