An irreverent and at times surreal crime romp through the literal underworld of Los Angeles alongside a female dirtbag PI who gets herself in bigger and bigger trouble as she investigates a client’s murder—the debut novel by the screenwriter of Black Christmas

No sooner has private investigator and semi-functioning alcoholic Barbara “Bobby” Sockett found the twenty-something kid she’s been paid to track down than he winds up decapitated in his aging starlet mom’s mansion. When Mother Dearest shows up to the crime scene, she acts oddly blasé about the whole thing, ditching Bobby with the kid’s dog . . . and a $300,000 deposit to her bank account with the note PLEASE STOP. Why? Bobby is the proverbial cat about to be gotten by curiosity—and the more she pulls on this thread, the more she starts to unravel a truly bizarre conspiracy. Oh, and now she’s on the hook for two murders.

To clear her name, solve the murders, and salvage a stunning number of burned bridges, Bobby throws herself into the LA fever-dream sprawl of runaway nepo babies, money-laundering rehab clinics, and washed-up electro DJs as her traitorous heart yearns for her polyamorous ex-boyfriend and wildfires rage through the hills.

Acclaimed film critic and screenwriter April Wolfe’s debut is equally outrageous and heartfelt, pulse-pounding and hilarious as it takes classic LA noir tropes and sets them ablaze. You might solve the mystery before Bobby does, but nearly all the joy is in riding alongside her. And with Bobby at the wheel, you better hold on for dear life.