When a commercial airliner plunges into the Florida shallows, a reluctant investigator uncovers a high-tech conspiracy linked to a powerful, secretive family. Thorn, a man accustomed to the periphery of danger, finds his life intersecting with the aftermath of a tragic crash and the subsequent discovery of a weaponized electromagnetic device. Alongside police photographer Alexandra Rafferty, he must navigate the complex social strata of the Florida Keys to expose the truth. The narrative follows a third-person perspective that shifts between the investigation and the machinations of the wealthy Braswell family, whose history of grief and obsession serves as the catalyst for the unfolding violence.

This novel is widely recognized as a definitive entry in the Florida noir subgenre, reflecting the author's established reputation for atmospheric tension. The narrative structure relies on the interplay between the gritty, sun-drenched landscape and the cold, calculated nature of the central conspiracy. Readers often highlight the author's ability to balance high-stakes action sequences with the psychological depth of his recurring characters. The work is frequently cited for its evocative descriptions of the Florida coastline, which serve as a backdrop for the moral decay of the antagonists. The integration of technological threats into a traditional crime framework provides a distinct flavor that distinguishes this installment from standard thriller fare.