The main character and narrator is named Al Howard, similar to Sherlock Holmes’ and Dr. Watson, a career driven, financially successful, African American, business woman becomes involved in capturing the brutal murderer of her husband’s girlfriend and locating his two illegitimate kidnapped children .  

This mystery is set in an African American community, the ghetto.  Grandmother an adventuress, intuitive, heroic wheelchair-bound older woman and best friend to Al.  Different ages and backgrounds they ordinarily would never have met, but through a set of circumstances they become friends and confidantes. 

Other characters include Al’s husband Brian not a bad guy just misguided, Michael; a streetwise, former gang member turned detective and friend to Grandmother.  He pulls himself up by his boot straps then meets and marries the city coroner.  Intrigue and abuse by local politicians at city hall are uncovered and reported by V.G.; a sassy newspaper reporter, trying to climb up the career ladder.  She also gets involved in chasing the murderer and meets Mac; the flip side of Michael.  Mac and Micheal grew up together.   Mac is an “O.G.” (Original Gangster), an elder statesman for the gang.  V.G.’s motto:  “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”