Joseph Wambaugh's hard-hitting novel rips apart the glittering facade of that magical place called Hollywood, to expose the evil and savagery that lie beneath the surface of the 'Dream Factory'.
A Major studio boss is murdered ; two weary detectives reluctantly accept the case to snare the killer. Their investigations bring them face to face with the grim reality of a crime-ridden city - murder, robbery, drugs, pornography.
As the two men set about their task with cynical humour, the destruction and hopelessness start to pervade their own lives.