by Joe Gores
First published 1972
Someone attacked Ballard's partner, and now the clock is ticking. Ballard has exactly seventy-two hours to hunt down the perpetrator before the trail goes cold. His search takes him from the gritty streets of Oakland to the hills of San Francisco, chasing leads that connect a stripper, an embezzler, and an ex-convict. Each person he tracks down brings him closer to the truth, but time is running out. As Ballard navigates the underworld of the Bay Area, he discovers that finding his partner's attacker means confronting dangerous people who have everything to lose. The investigation becomes personal when Ballard realizes that solving this case isn't just about justice. It's about loyalty, survival, and what happens when someone crosses the line.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, thriller, detective, action
Vibes: fast-paced, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, loyalty, survival
Setting: Oakland, San Francisco
184 pages · Hardcover · Random