At a California racetrack, an ex-cop investigates the mystery of his mother's suicide in this haunting novel from the two-time Edgar nominee.  The old wooden tower looms over the racetrack, an eyesore that is too famous to tear down. To Wes Harrison, it is more than an architectural curiosity; it is a bitter reminder of Ginger North, the track employee who, three decades earlier, leapt from the tower to her death. Around the track, she is a legend, something to reminisce about in between races, but to Harrison, Ginger North is much more: she was his mother. A troubled ex-cop, Harrison drifts into the world of the racetrack as a way of connecting with his mother's spirit. Armed with a few old case files, he takes a job on the grounds, seeking answers about Ginger's death. Standing in his way are certain people--jockeys, trainers, grooms, and owners--who do not want the truth to come out. Conflict is natural among those who work with horses, but at this track, the competition could be deadly.