If you are living in San Fran in the 1890's and are faced with puzzles involving fraudulent rainmakers, nefarious spiritualists, coney games, a one-eyed lady gambler, a crook who disappears from a train, the stolen body of a Chinese Tong leader and similar mysteries, you hire the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services. Sabina Carpenter, the widow of a Pinkerton detective, has joined forces with John Quincannon, a former United States Secret Service agent in fact, Quincannon would like to join forces in other ways, but his partner continues to resist his lustful advances.

Carpenter and Quincannon includes some of Bill Pronzini's finest short stories. Recognized for Lifetime Achievement by the Private Eye Writers of America, Pronzini's work has been described as "a stunning and unique achievement in crime fiction" (Booklist).