'The new crime and espionage series from Penguin Classics makes for a mouth-watering prospect' Daily TelegraphMaude Slocum is in trouble.But luckily trouble is Investigator Lew Archer's business. A well-dressed, wealthy woman has arrived at Archer's L.A. office, having intercepted a poison pen letter accusing her of adultery.Reluctantly agreeing to help her find the culprit, he dives into the Slocums' moneyed, oil-rich California world.But when Maude's mother-in-law is found dead in the swimming pool, secrets come to the surface too.For the urbane, world-weary Archer, a case of blackmail soon becomes murder.