Unlike Over the Shoulder, this installment of Allen Choice moves us into different and deeper terrain: we get a piercing look at his emotions as his life and relationships fray. What's missing is the broader sociological scope of Over the Shoulder, but what's added is the in-depth look at Choice. It's as if the author decided to go inward rather than outward, which seems like an odd but interesting choice (no pun intended) for a thriller. I also missed the philosophical thoughts, but they have been replaced by an investigation into his ideas of relationships. This is turning out to be a very unique mystery series. I think James Sallis's mysteries are similar, though of course different in terms of character and style.