A man trying to rebuild his life after divorce and addiction impulsively claims to be a private detective, only to be drawn into a murder investigation. Sam Turner, newly sober and separated, invents a new identity as a private investigator at a support group meeting. When a fellow member, Terry, hires him to investigate his wife's suspected affair, Sam sees an easy payday and a chance to prove himself. However, the case takes a dark turn when Terry is murdered, and Sam finds himself entangled in a police investigation that suggests a serial killer is at large, propelling his fledgling detective agency into dangerous territory.

The premise sets up a gritty crime novel with a focus on a flawed protagonist navigating a dangerous underworld. The narrative appears to follow a classic detective story arc, where an initial, seemingly simple case unravels into something far more complex and perilous. The author's choice to place a newly-minted, amateur detective at the center of a serial killer investigation suggests a narrative driven by suspense and the protagonist's personal stakes. The story likely explores themes of redemption and the consequences of one's actions within a noir-influenced setting.