The Corpse Had a Familiar Face is an account of some of the author's experiences as the top Miami Herald crime reporter over a period of 17 years. She describes the murders, rapes, drug deals, kidnappings and over 5,000 corpses she has investigated and reported. She also writes about her relations with criminals and the police. In 1980 the author's exposure of the murder of Arthur McDuffie by the police sparked the Miami riots. In 1986 she won the Pulitzer prize for her news reporting.