Part of Lew Archer, book 5
First published 1995
Private investigator Lew Archer receives a new assignment that pulls him into the shadowy world of missing persons and hidden motives. Operating from his California base, Archer must navigate through layers of deception as he searches for someone who has vanished under mysterious circumstances. The case forces him to confront the complicated relationships between family members, each harboring secrets that could explain the disappearance. As Archer digs deeper, he uncovers connections that stretch back years, revealing how past actions continue to shape present dangers. The investigation tests his skills as he works to separate truth from carefully constructed lies. Archer must determine whether he is looking for someone who left willingly or became the target of something more sinister. The case challenges him to understand the complex web of human relationships that can both protect and destroy.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: complex-relationships, unreliable-narrator
Setting: California
Period: 20th-century
280 pages · Paperback · Thorndike Pr