In the eighth installment of the John Marshall Tanner series, readers are reunited with Tanner, a seasoned private investigator characterized by the gritty determination reminiscent of Sam Spade. This time, Tanner finds himself immersed in the murky waters of a friend's untimely death. Tom Crandall, a fellow patron of the local bar they both frequented, is found dead in a squalid part of San Francisco known as the Tenderloin. The police have ruled the death a suicide, but Tanner, with his intimate knowledge of Crandall's reputation as both a war hero and an ardent social crusader, is unconvinced.

Shortly before his demise, Crandall confided in Tanner about troubles plaguing his marriage to Clarissa, a charismatic nightclub singer. The root of his anxiety was Richard Sands, a wealthy businessman intent on winning Clarissa's affections. Crandall's modest income as an ambulance driver paled in comparison to the lavish lifestyle Sands could offer, and in desperation, he sought Tanner's counsel on how to thwart Sands' advances. Thus, when Crandall was discovered dead, Tanner's suspicion was that the confrontation had escalated fatally, possibly orchestrated by Sands himself.

As Tanner delves deeper into the mystery, he encounters Tom's brother, Nicky, whose mental illness complicates the gathering of potential leads. Nonetheless, Nicky might hold the key to unraveling the circumstances of Tom's death. Tanner's investigation also brings him into contact with Ellen Simmons, Tom's former flame from his pre-Vietnam days. These interactions propel Tanner towards Richard Sands, uncovering a tangled web of connections to Healthways, a corporation managing an array of medical clinics. Tanner's probing into Healthways reveals a sinister determination to locate Nicky Crandall, culminating in threats and intimidation towards Tanner himself, which only fuels his resolve to dig deeper into the company's shadowy dealings.

Throughout his inquiry, much of Tanner's analytical work unfolds subtly, as he pieces together fragments of information into a coherent theory. He tests various hypotheses, leveling accusations as he zeros in on what he believes to be the truth. Yet, the narrative crafted by author Stephen Greenleaf keeps readers questioning, as the ultimate revelation of Tom Crandall's fate is no more persuasive than the alternatives Tanner considers. The story leaves readers pondering the plausibility of the final scenario, maintaining an air of mystery and engaging intrigue that is characteristic of Tanner's unpredictable investigative journey.