When Ben Dill's detective sister is blown up outside her duplex, Dill, a consultant to a Senate subcommittee, returns to his hometown to find out who killed her, and why. And what he uncovers is an unsavoury nest of petty thieves, hired guns, crooked cops, illegal arms dealers and corrupt politicians. Fast, furious and funny, Briarpatch shows why Ross Thomas is recognized as one of the finest of all suspense writers.