Book excerpt: In the dark, gritty streets of the Central District, everyone is out for themselves. But when a desperate father walks into her office, private investigator Kelly Kharma is drawn into a dangerous game of secrets and violence. Pinback Boiler's wife has kidnapped their daughter Gwendolyn, and he needs Kharma's help to find her and bring her back. Following Gwendolyn's trail into the industrial South District, Kharma discovers a world of underground crime and hidden agendas. And at the center of it all is an enigmatic little girl that everyone wants to protect - and one person wants to kill. She soon realizes she may be the only one who can save Gwendolyn from a fate worse than death. But with danger lurking around every corner, will she be able to make it out alive? For fans of intense, fast-paced sci-fi noir, this book is a must-read. But be warned, once you start wading into this world of violence and mystery, you won't be able to put it down. So don't wait - buy it now!