Leo Bronski, a postmaster at Howe's Bluff in Western Alaska, is a Vietnam vet who has fought alcoholism for years. His boss asks him to take over the post office at Fire Bay, because that facility's supervisor had died in a suspicious boating accident, and its postmaster is presiding over a drunk tank. Leo's boss adds the chilling comment that the Medical Examiner believes the supervisor had been murdered, and neither the local Alaska State Troopers nor the Postal inspectors have been able to find out what happened. When Bronski arrives at Fire Bay, he realizes that the postal facility is short of help and morale is low. He soon learns that those two problems are the very least of his worries.

Leo Bronski, an alcoholic Vietnam vet, is on shaky ground with his employer, the U. S. Postal Service in Anchorage. His boss transfers him to a "dry" Western Alaska village to serve as temporary postmaster for a month. After Bronski arrives he is told to find out if the previous postmaster had actually committed suicide—or was murdered."This is no cozy crime novel. It is masculine and hard edged, with plenty of action and even a bit of sex along with its mystery. The author shows rare skill in balancing the thrilling with sensitive subject matter."— Shana Loshbaugh, Kenai Peninsula Clarion