The novel explores the stark contrast between those seeking justice and those wielding power to obscure the truth. Jack, driven by grief and moral obligation, finds himself pitted against the wealthy elite of East Hampton who operate with impunity. The police investigation is compromised, witnesses are silenced, and a climate of fear pervades the town, showcasing the imbalance of power and its corrosive effect on justice.

As Jack digs deeper into his brother's life, he uncovers unsettling secrets that challenge everything he believed about Peter. It becomes apparent that his brother was involved in something dangerous and potentially illegal. This forces Jack to confront the reality that he may not have known his brother as well as he thought and raises questions about the lengths we go to protect our loved ones, even after their deaths.

The idyllic setting of the Hamptons, typically associated with wealth and privilege, becomes a breeding ground for dark secrets and deadly consequences. The novel peels back the glamorous facade to expose the moral decay and hypocrisy lurking beneath the surface. The pursuit of wealth and status corrupts even the seemingly untouchable, revealing the fragility of morality in the face of immense power.