Plot summary

New York City, 1955. For twelve years, famous crooner Johnny Favorite has been pulling the perfect vanishing act. But time's up for the weaselly performer. As a result, well-connected businessman Louis Cyphre hires small-time private detective Harry Angel, of all people, to track down the missing singer and persuade him to honour his contract. Soon, as Harry steps out of his comfort zone, forced to look for answers in all the wrong places, he finds himself embroiled in a knotty mystery filled with spiritualism, violence, and murder. That's why Harry now refuses to keep his side of the bargain, not for all the money in the world. However, the long trail of fresh bodies, from mysterious New York to occult New Orleans, says otherwise. After all, no one steals from Louis. And Cyphre always gets what he wants.—Nick Riganas