Having recently re-discovered the mystery genre, I was guided by my subscription to Alfred Hitchcock magazine to the list of Edgar Award winners. I started off with the best novel, Winter and Night by S.J. Rozan. Making my way down the list (posted on the mystery writers of America website) brought me to this book. This won the award for the best first novel by an American author. It is hard to believe this is his first because Jonathon King displays an expertise of familiarity with setting description and character development. He includes allusions to prior events that made me want more from the author's thought process. Definitely recommended and can compete for best mystery novel overall, not just best first.