This detective/mystery novel is set in post-war Vienna. The milieu is that of Graham Green"s "The Third Man." The plot centers around a number of characters, many of them refugees from Eastern Europe, struggling to survive in difficult times. The black market plays a prominent role. Political intrigue is also important as representatives of the Russian and Western occupational forces vie for the allegiance of spies and informants. The relationship between personal motivation (survival and greed) and political allegiances is complex. The geography of Vienna, split between Eastern and Western zones, but also with an "international zone" is important.