When a notorious serial killer escapes custody, his estranged brother must confront a shadowy organization to prevent a looming catastrophe. Ward Hopkins finds himself in a race against time as he tracks his brother, the Upright Man, while navigating the dangerous influence of the Straw Men. Alongside his partner Nina and the vengeful former detective John Zandt, Ward operates outside the boundaries of traditional law enforcement. The narrative utilizes a high-stakes, multi-perspective framework to track the movements of both the hunters and the hunted across a landscape defined by corruption and hidden agendas.

This work is characterized by its relentless pacing and the grim, cynical tone typical of the author's broader body of work. The narrative relies heavily on the tension between the protagonists' personal vendettas and the larger, systemic threat posed by the antagonist organization. Readers often note the focus on the mechanics of the hunt, emphasizing the gritty, procedural nature of the investigation. The premise suggests a focus on the moral ambiguity of vigilante justice and the difficulty of operating within a compromised legal system.