When you are faced with puzzles involving fraudulent rainmakers, nefarious spiritualists, coney games,a one-eyed lady gambler, a crook who disappears from a train, the stolen body of a Chinese Tong leader, and similar mysteries -- you hire the firm of Carpenter and Quincannon, Professional Detective Services. Sabina Carpenter, the widow of a Pinkerton detective, has joined forces with John Quincannon, a former United States Secret Service agent—in fact, Quincannon would like to join forces in other ways, but his partner continues to resist his lustful advances.
Carpenter and Quincannon includes some of Bill Pronzini's finest short stories.