The book consists of three narratives, each at a different place and time, each with their own line of action. There are common elements defining the background, life and career of Claire DeWitt, the private eye who by her own cocky admission no one ever defeats. Having read one of the other DeWitt novels, I already knew about her mentorship under Constance Darling and her deep study in the cult book Detection written by Jacques Sillete. The Sillete book is fictitious, but she makes it so intriguing we wish it was out there on Amazon.

I like how Gran writes. Informally, brash, yet with skill and measure. Her character’s search in these stories is not so much for the whodunnit aspects, but to find retribution and meaning in, or confirmation of, what is right. This is not a superficial exploration she makes. It is heart-rendering, totally committed, down to the blood and bones level. We all miss Tracy and feel Claire’s pain for her. When Claire suffers, we do. When she makes mistakes and still brags, we cringe. When she gets cornered and in trouble (repeatedly) we root for her to get away. When she wins and finds respite and understanding, we do too.

If I go back for a second read one day, I would thumb through the pages and read each part separately. My hat’s off to Sara Gran, who has shown the bigshot book guys what she can do, and has now carved a way to run her own publishing company.