David Chill's colorful and brilliant mystery captures both Raymond Chandler's gritty vision and Robert B. Parker's biting humor.After a large sum of money has gone missing, P.I. Burnside uncovers far more, including a tangled web of long-held secrets -- and a seemingly straightforward case of embezzlement suddenly evolves into brutal murder. From seething rivalries to old resentments to sordid affairs, many suspects have a shady past to hide -- and a desperate reason to kill. And through it all, a sordid betrayal from Burnside's own past continues to haunt him, waiting for an opportune moment to materialize.This well-crafted novel is the embodiment of the classic Southern California noir thriller, set against a late summer backdrop that is both sizzling hot and eerily quiet. The story leads readers down a trail of theft, murder and deceit, with sharply honed banter and strikingly original characters. It is a tightly written story that is loaded with both suspense and humor.