America's leading mystery writers are being brutally murdered. Third-tier author Guy Davitta would-be Dashiell Hammettstumbles upon the killer's bizarre M.O. (the deaths are lifted from mystery novels). But Davitt cannot convince deeply skeptical police a Sleuth Slayer actually exists. Through a dark labyrinth of film studio power brokers, publishing industry politics, a decadent family's wealthy influence, police immoralityas well as the dawning realization that he himself is on the killer's listDavitt pursues the truth.