This book has several plots. The most important one involves Jack Morgan, the owner of Private, a private investigation company started by his father. Morgan comes back from a trip to find a former girlfriend murdered in his bed. Morgan is the number one suspect of this murder and has to clear himself of it or go to a lengthy trial. Morgan also owes a favor to a mobster, a favor he does not want to honor but is in no position to refuse. A third plot is the disappearance of a film star who is already in much legal trouble. Finally, Private seeks to solve a series of hotel murders that are the work of a serial killer.