Part of Lew Archer, book 0.3
First published 1991
Private investigator Lew Archer works the dark streets of California, where every case pulls him deeper into webs of lies and violence. A missing woman leads to blackmail. A blonde's guilt becomes a deadly trap. A bearded lady hides secrets that kill. Archer follows false leads on wild chases, investigates suspicious suicides, and uncovers sinister habits that destroy lives. In the midnight hours, he tracks down the truth behind a blue mystery while sleeping dangers awaken around him. Each investigation tests Archer's resolve as he discovers that finding people often means losing pieces of himself. The detective must navigate through deception and betrayal, knowing that every answer he uncovers brings him closer to violence. These nine cases reveal the cost of seeking truth in a world where everyone has something to hide.
Genres: mystery, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, investigation, mystery
Setting: California
Period: 20th-century
288 pages · Paperback · Grand Central Pub
Content warnings: violence