When a prominent Cincinnati businessman is found dead in a lime pit, private investigator Harry Stoner is hired to uncover the truth behind the gruesome discovery. Stoner must navigate the complex social strata of the city, contending with wealthy families, hidden motives, and the pervasive corruption that threatens to derail his investigation. The narrative follows a classic hardboiled framework, utilizing a first-person perspective that emphasizes Stoner's cynical yet observant nature as he peels back layers of suburban respectability to reveal the rot underneath. He faces physical intimidation and bureaucratic stonewalling while attempting to piece together a fragmented timeline of events.

This novel is recognized as a staple of the hardboiled detective genre, noted for its gritty portrayal of Cincinnati and its sharp, unsentimental prose. Readers and critics often highlight the authenticity of the protagonist's voice, which avoids the tropes of more stylized noir while maintaining the tension required for a compelling mystery. The narrative structure is praised for its logical progression, allowing the reader to follow Stoner's thought process as he navigates a web of deceit. The work stands as a representative example of 1980s crime fiction, focusing on the intersection of personal morality and systemic corruption.