On a cold and snowy night in Portland, ME, Police Detective Joe Burgess catches a nasty murder case: oncologist Steven Pleasant, who had a habit of picking up prostitutes, is found dead in his car with a metal rod rammed down his throat. No one wants to talk to the police, yet both his family and his work colleagues knew about his sordid predilection. Flora, author of the Thea Kozak series (An Educated Death), has written a dark, brooding novel about a cop who, despite his personal demons and dislike for the murder victim, won't quit until the guilty party is brought to justice.