A detective novel by a living classic of American literature, an outstanding writer and politician, Gore Vidal, who challenged decent America with his scandalous novel about homosexuals. Vidal's detective stories are not just clues to daringly twisted murders; in them, the “noise of time” is unobtrusively but clearly heard. The central character of all three books is Peter Sargent II, a reluctant detective. He is not a professional or even an amateur of private investigations, but just a smart and insightful guy, openly cynical and loving women.