Part of Harry Stoner Mystery, book 7
First published 1987
Private investigator Harry Stoner receives a case that pulls him into Cincinnati's underbelly. A troubled Vietnam veteran has disappeared, leaving behind only cryptic clues and worried family members. Stoner follows the trail through the city's bars, flop houses, and back alleys, where he encounters other damaged war survivors struggling with their demons. The missing man's past in Southeast Asia bleeds into his present troubles, creating a web of violence and desperation. As Stoner digs deeper, he uncovers connections between the veteran's wartime experiences and his current predicament. The detective must navigate both the physical dangers of his investigation and the psychological wreckage left by a war that ended over a decade ago. Stoner's search becomes a journey through the lasting wounds that conflict inflicts on those who survive it.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: damaged-hero, psychological-suspense
Setting: Cincinnati
Period: 1980s
254 pages · Hardcover · Delacorte Press
Content warnings: violence, war