The story full of plots and subplots moves like a breathless, rollercoaster car chase scene through the San Francisco hills. Lea's life before the murder didn't have much room for "wastin' time" and there's none after, as she desperately tries to save the life she loves. There's also a very strong sense of place - of San Francisco, but also in dead-on depictions of the different professional worlds. I worked in high tech and had to laugh at Harry's apartment, since one of my best friends has a place similarly decorated in obsolete PC. I wasn't wholly convinced by some of the people's behavior and was frustrated by some of Lea's, but was carried along enough by the fast paced, interesting story, settings, and characters so that's really more quibble than major fault. Read and enjoy!