My name is Kinsley Millhone and I'm a private detective. I'm thirty-two years old, female, and I live and work in Santa Teresa, in southern California.

A few days ago, I got shot - but I must tell the story from the beginning.

On a fine morning, early in June, I was in my office on State Street. It was just before nine o'clock. There was a knock at the door and a woman came in. She was in her late thirties. She was small, with shiny black hair and bright blue eyes. She was well dressed.

"I'm Beverley Danzinger," the woman said. "I'm hoping that you can find my sister for me..."