When a screenwriter is found dead on a studio backlot, private investigator Jack LeVine must navigate the treacherous political climate of 1940s Hollywood to uncover the truth. LeVine, a cynical and cash-strapped private eye, is pulled into a web of studio politics and Cold War paranoia after his friend, Walter Adrian, seeks his help regarding accusations of communist sympathies. Following Adrian's suspicious death, LeVine must contend with studio executives, law enforcement, and shadowy figures who prefer the truth remain buried. The narrative follows a traditional hardboiled framework, utilizing a gritty, third-person perspective to expose the corruption lurking behind the glamour of the film industry.

Readers frequently highlight the book's authentic atmosphere, noting how effectively it captures the paranoia of the McCarthy era within the film industry. Discussion often centers on the sharp, witty dialogue that defines the hardboiled genre and keeps the pacing brisk throughout the investigation. Critics often point to the author's background in film as a key factor in the detailed, cynical portrayal of studio life. Many readers appreciate the balance between the central murder mystery and the broader social commentary regarding the era's political tensions.