Howard Owen skúma hĺbky ľudskej psychiky a dopad minulosti na súčasnosť. Jeho romány, často zasadené do dusného juhu, sa zaoberajú témami viny, vykúpenia a zložitých rodinných vzťahov. S citom pre detail a prenikavým postrehom pre ľudské slabosti vytvára Owen postavy, ktoré sú rovnako nedokonalé ako nezabudnuteľné. Jeho štýl, ktorý je zároveň surový aj lyrický, vťahuje čitateľov do príbehov, kde sa zločin a osobná dráma prelínajú s neúprosnou silou.
The plot unfolds in Dogtown, where the brutal murder of a seemingly harmless blue-collar worker raises alarm among residents. The mystery deepens when an elderly couple is also found dead in their upscale home shortly after. As the protagonist, Willie Black, investigates these shocking events, he begins to suspect a sinister connection between the two killings, challenging the notion of safety in his community and unraveling hidden truths.
The River City emerges as a hub for gritty noir, featuring brand-new stories from a diverse array of authors. The introduction reflects on Richmond, Virginia, highlighting its complex history marked by deception, conspiracy, and violence. Henry Miller's sardonic remark about preferring to die in Richmond underscores the city's dual nature. Today, Richmond is a blend of elegance and brutality—home to winter balls and garden parties, yet also notorious for crime and drug activity. The city boasts prestigious ad agencies and law firms, alongside a rich tapestry of residents, from the First Families of Virginia to immigrants from various backgrounds. Richmond's social fabric includes strict manners and a sense of neighborliness, but also an underlying tension that cautions against road rage. This juxtaposition of charm and danger creates a fertile ground for noir storytelling, making Richmond a compelling backdrop for tales of moral ambiguity and human complexity.