Set against the glittering yet seedy backdrop of 1952 Hollywood, "Dream Town" plunges Private Investigator Aloysius Archer into a perilous new case. On New Year's Eve, Archer and rising actress Liberty Callahan are approached by screenwriter Eleanor Lamb, who fears someone is trying to kill her. His investigation quickly turns sinister when Archer visits Lamb's Malibu residence, only to be knocked unconscious after stumbling upon a dead body – and Lamb herself vanishes without a trace. With the police involved, a colleague hires Archer to find the missing screenwriter. Archer's quest drags him through the contrasting worlds of glamorous Los Angeles mansions and its dark, narcotics-fueled underbelly, eventually leading him to the burgeoning gambling mecca of Las Vegas. In a city where lines between law enforcement and criminals blur, Archer encounters a dangerous mix of Hollywood elites, corrupt politicians, and notorious mobsters. Facing constant threats and uncovering disturbing secrets, Archer, aided by Liberty and his partner Willie Dash, must risk everything to locate Eleanor Lamb and deliver justice to a ruthless killer determined to silence him permanently. This thrilling installment is a captivating journey through a vibrant, dangerous era.
Critical Reception
"Praised by literary giants, David Baldacci's 'Dream Town' cements his status as a peerless master of the American detective story, delivering electrifying twists and heroes worth rooting for."