Part of Lew Archer, book 10
First published 1984
Private investigator Lew Archer takes on what seems like a straightforward case, but soon finds himself pursuing a murderer across hundreds of miles of coastline. Two victims lie dead, their lives cut short by someone willing to kill to protect dark secrets. Archer's investigation leads him from the familiar streets of California down into Mexico, following a trail of clues that includes a distinctive zebra-striped hearse. Each lead pulls him deeper into a web of deception where nothing appears as it first seemed. The detective must piece together fragments of evidence while navigating unfamiliar territory, racing to identify the killer before more innocent blood is shed. As Archer closes in on the truth, he discovers that solving this case will test not just his investigative skills but his determination to see justice done for the dead.
Genres: mystery, crime, thriller, detective
Vibes: dark, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, investigation
Setting: California, Mexico
Period: 20th-century
224 pages · Paperback · Bantam Books