New Orleans homicide cop Nick Saladino used to be an idealist. But exposure to the city's underbelly has left him jaded and cynical. He substitutes nightlife and alcohol for a home life with his wife and children, eroding their love and leading to inevitable personal consequences. His close friend and drinking buddy, Assistant D.A. Steve Chaisson, never had a love life before taking up with the woman of his dreams: educated, gorgeous, sexy, loving Julie Landry. But Steve senses that keeping her in his life would be like caging a beautiful exotic animal. When Nick becomes aware of a serial killer buried deep in the workings of the city's criminal justice system-someone with ties to many prominent citizens-the two friends must bind together to ferret out the killer without alerting the city's powerful politicians who can stop their investigation and their careers. Gritty and hard-hitting, a realistic if sometimes profane thrill ride down dark streets and around highly unusual corners in the Big Easy.