Kate Fansler verschlägt es aus New York City den Sommer über in die ländliche Idylle der Berkshires. Hier in Araby soll sie den Nachlass des amerikanischen Verlegers von James Joyce sichten. Doch dann wird die unsympathische Nachbarin Mary Bradford erschossen aufgefunden, und Kate lässt die Korrespondenz des berühmten irischen Autors liegen, wild entschlossen, den Mörder zu finden.
This book is a character study of the main characters: Judy Hammer, chief of police in Charlotte, North Carolina; Hammer's deputy, Virginia West; and Andy Brazil, a young reporter assigned to ride with the police as they go about their jobs.
Andrew Beckett, a hot-shot lawyer, is fired from his law firm when he develops AIDS. He hires a former adversary, personal-injury lawyer Joe Miller, to sue for damages and help win back his job. This book has been made into a film starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington.