This is a sequel to Homicide 69 and Dooley's Back, Reaves's two previous novels about the Dooleys, a Chicago police family. In 2003, Kevin Dooley is the head of the Chicago Police Department's cold case squad. Tasked with re-investigating a 17-year old cop killing after the man originally convicted is exonerated and released, Dooley needs a good investigator with South Side experience on his team. Detective Linda Washington, who knows the territory, needs a new partner. Together they take on the impossible task, with the coldest of trails to follow. The quest takes them deep into Chicago's vast South Side to uncover decades-old secrets, and as they stir the ashes a cold case becomes a heater case that will test their professional and professional relationship.

Sam Reaves has written seven Chicago-based crime novels. As Dominic Martell he has penned a European-based suspense trilogy. Reaves has traveled widely in Europe and the Middle East but has lived in the Chicago area most of his life. He has worked as a teacher and a translator.