San Francisco-based private detective Sharon McCone is tracking a man whose actions have already caused the deaths of two women who loved and trusted him in the 18th installment of this memorable series. Because Marcia Muller's books are as much about McCone's relationships with her extended, occasionally dysfunctional family as they are about the cases themselves, first-time visitors might have trouble sorting out all the relatives. But, as always, the rewards are well worth the effort.