When a routine investigation into a suspected marital affair abruptly shifts to a suspicious suicide, private investigator Benny Cooperman finds himself entangled in a web of lethal deception. Benny Cooperman, a private investigator operating out of Grantham, Ontario, accepts a case from a socialite concerned about her husband's fidelity. The narrative follows a first-person perspective as Benny navigates the physical and social landscape of a small Canadian city, encountering resistance from influential citizens and a cryptic psychiatrist. As the body count rises, Benny must rely on his observational skills and persistence to distinguish between staged suicides and calculated homicides.

Readers frequently highlight the grounded, unpretentious nature of Benny Cooperman as a protagonist who balances professional grit with personal empathy. Discussion often centers on the author's ability to capture the specific atmosphere of a mid-sized Canadian city while maintaining the conventions of the classic detective genre. Critics often note the steady, methodical pacing that prioritizes character interaction and local color over high-octane action sequences. The series is widely regarded for its dry wit and the way it subverts expectations within the traditional mystery framework, making it a staple for those who prefer character-driven crime fiction.