Eddie London might be the worst detective in all of Summerport. Then again, he assures himself, it’s a pretty big city. But when Veronica Lawrence hires him to find her missing husband, Eddie sees his chance to transcend the low-stakes (and low-paying) cases that have thus far sustained his fledgling operation.

As part of his unorthodox investigation, Eddie goes undercover at the authoritarian Manticore Cooperative. There he does his best to outwit its charismatic and temperamental leader. Further clues lead to a violent dive bar and a wilderness compound run by a dangerous cult.

Among Eddie’s associates are his boisterous best friend and a newfound ally with her own reasons for taking on Manticore. Together they will try to surveil, bluff, and strongarm their way to Mr. Lawrence’s safe return. And if that means conducting a car chase across the California freeway or taking a sucker punch to the back of the head, Eddie’s just the man for that too.

Veronica has given him seven days to locate her husband. Failing that, Eddie knows, another such chance may not come his way again. He has no intention of letting the opportunity pass by.