The Venus Deal (California Century Mysteries)

While the rest of San Diego is dealing with the rages of World War II, Tom Hickey--half owner of a local club--is making money. But when the clubs young singer Cynthia Moon disappears, business drops precipitously. Sometime private detective Hickey sets off looking for the girl, but instead discovers her bizarre and tragic family, including her mother Venus. Can Hickey navigate the half-mad atmosphere of Venus cult, the hard business world, and avoid the mob while still keeping his family and personal life in tact? The Venus Deal is is the second novel is the award-winning Hickey family series.