The most gruesome and unthinkable murders keep Private Detective Charlie Komensky on the move through territory far beyond his geographic comfort zone in this second novel and third case of the series. The discovery of a body disfigured by fire and smoke inside an old steam engine interrupts Charlie's vacation, and almost destroys his relationship with his capable but frustrated fiancée. As Linda threatens to break off the relationship completely, Charlie may stray from it with the young and willing female investigator assigned to the case. At the same time, shadowy criminal elements conspire to take advantage of Charlie's distractions, and the grotesque murders mount up. Always on the financial ropes, Charlie tries to escape being shot, electrocuted, and framed for attempted murder while uncovering clues that lead to an old diamond heist and his own blocked memory. Confused and off his game, worried about Linda and his business reputation, he might not escape the mind-changing drug that could put him at the mercy of the mysterious Georgio and force him to face long forgotten memories about his trusted friends, and about the judge who has been his mentor and male role model since his father was killed by a mob bullet. Tortured by the truth, Charlie must swallow his moral indignation and use the judge's connections to solve the case while trying to save the diamonds, his girl, his police contacts, his detective business, and maybe his own sanity.
