Private Eye Writers of America Best First Novel winner.

In 1943, Private Investigator Tom Hickey, now a military policeman assigned to the San Diego/Tijuana border, accompanies Private Clifford Rose to a Tijuana nightclub where they find his sister Wendy dancing naked on the stage. She appears so lost and innocent, Tom agrees to rescue her. Her captors, he soon discovers, are led by a German occultist and financed by the powerful del Monte family. They appear to be plotting a coup whose purpose is to give the Nazis a base from which to attack San Diego, home of the world's largest military/industrial presence. After Tom learns he's considered AWOL and his attempts to alert the military of the danger are treated as nonsense, he declares a war of his own.

"The story takes on an almost unbearable intensity, not in its mayhem but in its human beings and concerns." ~ Chico California News and Reviews

"Kuhlken brings a great new character — and a fresh voice — into the mystery field." Novelist Tony Hillerman