"[A] suspenseful, well-plotted neo-noir set in L.A. . . .[features] a quirky, thoughtful detective with a wry sense of humor and a philosophical bent." — Publishers Weekly, starred review
Los Angeles Private Detective John Darvelle is a man of specific tastes—simple design, smart women, cheap American beer.
He's a man of specific opinions—drive a car nobody can remember, avoid brunch at all costs, and don't live in Brentwood. And he adheres to his own professional code—an indelible blend of commitment, loyalty, and experience.
He also plays a lot of ping-pong.
Arthur Vonz is one of Tinseltown's most powerful men, a filmmaker among the ranks of Spielberg, Coppola, and Kubrick. He hires Darvelle to find a young woman named Suzanne Neal, an incandescent beauty who just might be hiding something.
What starts as an easy assignment soon has Darvelle plunging deep into the seductive and hidden world of Hollywood's elite. A twisting, turning journey that puts him face-to-face with the LAPD, a ruthless underground crime operation, and a cold-blooded killer.
It's the case of a lifetime that could end his life.
"A detective with a philosophical bent has echoes of notably introspective California sleuths from Phillip Marlowe to Harry Bosch." — Kirkus Reviews
"A terrific, fast-paced read. . . .Fans of the great Elmore Leonard, Philip Marlow, and Jim Rockford will love this read." — New York Journal of Books