Private investigator Vincent Rubio, a velociraptor living in a human-dominated world, must navigate a dangerous conspiracy following the suspicious death of his partner. Vincent struggles to maintain his cover while dealing with personal instability, a mounting addiction to basil, and the scrutiny of the dinosaur Council. He is forced to return to New York City to untangle a web of arson and interspecies intrigue that threatens the secret existence of his kind. The narrative employs a hard-boiled detective framework, utilizing a cynical first-person perspective to contrast the mundane realities of human life with the absurdity of hidden prehistoric predators.

This novel is widely recognized for its inventive premise that blends the tropes of classic detective fiction with an absurd, high-concept science fiction reality. Readers often highlight the author's ability to maintain a serious noir tone while simultaneously exploring the ridiculous logistics of dinosaurs living in modern society. The character of Vincent Rubio is frequently cited as a compelling protagonist whose internal struggles provide a grounded anchor for the more outlandish elements of the plot. The work is generally regarded as a clever subversion of genre expectations that manages to be both a functional mystery and a sharp social commentary.