Summary

The novel opens with Ronald Knox’s 10 Commandments of Detective Fiction from 1929 listed prior to the Prologue. In the Prologue, Ernest Cunningham, Ern for short, explains that “everyone in my family has killed someone” (91). Ern introduces that he will be solving “several” (1) murders over the course of the novel. Ern reveals himself to be a reliable narrator who will follow Knox’s 10 commandments.

Chapter 1 introduces Ern’s brother Michael a few years before present day. Michael arrives at Ern’s house in the night. Michael hit someone with his car and needs Ern’s help. Michael explains that the man was shot and then Michael hit him. Ern and Michael drive a couple hours to go bury the man’s body. They realize the man is not dead. Ern tries to get Michael to take the man to the hospital and sees...