In Santa Marta, California, a serial arsonist called Smoke is terrorizing the city. Smoke is a vicious pyromaniac whose fires have burned hundreds of homes and thousands of acres. The city's investigators are stumped, and the next target has already been chosen. Enter Monte Raleigh, private arson investigator and former firefighter. He has an arsenal of technology and education at his command, plus a generous contract from the city's libertine mayor. But Smoke's not above taunting Monte right along with the fire department, and not everyone in Santa Marta is eager to help the investigation--From publisher description.