Harry Bosch has hit rock bottom. His once stable life is now in shambles. His earthquake-damaged home has been condemned, his girlfriend has left him, and he's drinking far too much. After attacking his commanding officer, Harry is suspended indefinitely, pending a psychiatric evaluation.

With his badge turned in, Harry finds himself with time to dwell on the past. He decides to investigate an unsolved crime from 1961: the brutal murder of a prostitute, who was none other than his own mother. As he delves deeper, Harry realizes that the case was mishandled, and the stench of a cover-up is undeniable. Someone powerful was able to divert justice, and Harry is determined to uncover the truth.

As he relentlessly follows the fragmented pieces of the case, new murders occur, drawing Harry deeper into a dangerous web of deceit. The more he uncovers, the more evident it becomes that someone wants the past to remain buried—someone very powerful, cunning, and deadly.

In this gripping installment of the Harry Bosch series, Michael Connelly delivers a suspenseful thriller filled with psychological depth and a relentless pursuit of justice.