When a disgraced lawyer finds his former lover murdered, he must navigate a treacherous web of personal betrayal and criminal conspiracy to clear his name. Nathan Stein, a man whose life has spiraled into moral decay through his father's corrupt legal practice, becomes the primary suspect in a homicide investigation. As he traverses the underbelly of New York City over a single, harrowing day and night, he is forced to confront the wreckage of his past relationships and professional failures. The narrative follows his desperate attempt to determine if he is being framed or if his own actions have finally caught up with him, all while evading the scrutiny of a detective who is also the victim's brother.

Critical reception for this novel highlights its stylistic ambition and atmospheric intensity, with reviewers noting the author's ability to craft a brooding, high-stakes narrative. The Times Literary Supplement described the work as a tour de force that maintains a relentless pace, while other outlets praised the elegance of the prose despite the dark subject matter. Some reviewers, such as those at Kirkus, noted that while the verbal effects are impressive, the character's descent into a self-made maelstrom remains a polarizing element of the plot. Overall, the book is recognized for its sophisticated approach to the thriller genre, prioritizing psychological depth alongside the mechanics of a murder mystery.