This series of novels revolve around JP Parker a 100 year old long time retired New York City private detective from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. The novels are his first person recollections as told to a young writer who is compiling them into book form. They deal with his most notable cases and the famous people who crossed his path. In the first of the series Parker is hired by a has been movie actress to find her estranged husband to invite him to their daughter’s wedding. Parker soon finds out that the given reason is just a cover for something very different. In the process he becomes involved with the rest of the strange family, their violence prone chauffeur, and a bizarre smuggling scam.