Dix Steele, a troubled World War II veteran, becomes the prime suspect in a series of murders in post-war Los Angeles.

Hughes's novel is a psychological thriller that explores the dark undercurrents of violence and paranoia in American society.

Told from Dix's perspective, the story creates a chilling and unsettling portrait of a disturbed mind, blurring the lines between guilt and innocence.

It's a groundbreaking work of noir, focusing on the inner turmoil of the protagonist.