THE CHIMERA introduces a pair of amateur detectives, Grace and George O'Bannion. Grace is a retired Army Intelligence officer and George a retired history professor. The story is set in eastern part of Virginia's Northern Neck, a largely rural economy of farming, fishing, oystering, crabbing, tourism and a multitude of small businesses but also hosting a population of comfortable to wealthy retirees, thanks to its hundreds of miles of waterfront. In turn, they help enable a rich cultural life of arts, music, and entertainment in the area. George had written a highly successful series of historical novels that boosted their retirement portfolio and when Grace decided to retire early from the Army, disillusioned by the lack of focus, strategy and progress in the "War on Terror," they left their urban world for the Northern Neck. When the lady who cleaned house for them every other week is arrested for the murder of a prominent citizen, George and Grace cannot believe her capable of the crime and get involved.