As in some of his other work, Burke uses the technique of doubling to blur the lines between good and evil in order to represent a modern world with few, if any, absolutes.

Thus, Johnny Remata displays some traits similar to Robicheaux, including intelligence, a distrust of authority, and a fondness for Alafair. Both men come from rural Southern roots—Robicheaux from the Louisiana bayou, and Remata from the backwoods of Southern Appalachia. Robicheaux sets out to murder Remata to prevent him from further threatening his family, but finds himself at the last minute unable to pull the trigger. Similarly, Remata fails at one of his contract assignments, unable to kill a young woman with a small child. When three corrupt New Orleans police officers attempt to murder Remata, Robicheaux saves his life and one of the three officers dies. When Axel Jennings, one of the two...