St. Louis was the fourth largest city in America; the crossroads linking East and West; the jewel of the Mississippi River; a thriving industrial metropolis, where dreams came true and great fortunes were made. Yet, the mighty city had a dark side; the hustle and bustle of Industrial Era growth and prosperity masked a ruthless underworld of vice, corruption and murder. When a brutally murdered corpse is found along the Mississippi, Herbert Falken is called upon, once again, to hunt down another black-hearted monster. However, Falken's quest for the truth is confounded by a relentless all-powerful adversary--his own tortured soul. Deceit, treachery and betrayal lay around every corner. Each clue seems to contradict the last; answers spawn new questions. The elusive truth can be uncovered, but what will it cost? Friendship, integrity and honor are stretched to the breaking point, by the St. Louis Affair.