It's 1978 in "America's Finest City"—San Diego, California—and one rookie cop is learning the hardest lessons the streets have to teach. Luke Jones—a recently graduated, Shakespeare-quoting literature major—is about to discover that dealing with crooks is the easiest part of his new job. For here, in a world populated by people ruled by their obsessions, Luke's strong will and quick tongue alienate many of his senior officers, and he must fight for acceptance. Though eventually labeled a hero, his success comes at great cost.

The Sticking Place is the first in the Luke Jones series, which follows one cop's career from rookie to retirement.