The eighth book in the Elvis Cole mystery series probes into the life and trials of Joe Pike, Cole`s loyal sidekick. As we follow Pike through his investigation of a string of grisly murders, a series of flashbacks uncover his past life as an abused child, a troubled teenager, and an L.A. policeman bent on protecting his family from a corrupt partner. When Pike is pegged as the prime suspect for the crimes he is investigating, Cole begins work on his exoneration. Nominated for the 1999 Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Novel.