Set in the gritty, bohemian world of 1940s New York City, the narrative follows two friends, Will Dennison and Mike Ryko, as they navigate a turbulent summer filled with existential angst, artistic ambition, and complex relationships. The story unfolds through alternating perspectives, capturing the raw, unfiltered experiences of the characters as they become entangled in a web of jealousy, obsession, and betrayal. The novel paints a vivid picture of a bygone era, exploring themes of youthful disillusionment and the search for identity amidst the backdrop of a murder that ultimately tests the limits of friendship and morality.