Set in coastal California during World War II, this 1943 mystery follows Percy Peacock, a psychologist, as he navigates a blackout filled with intrigue and murder. With two victims and a wide range of suspects-including a Don Juan, gamblers, and a couple with marital troubles-Peacock must solve the murders amidst alibis and mounting tension. The novel delivers a well-plotted, classic whodunit that intertwines personal and societal conflicts.