Sex is the most powerful force in my life. And to think I knew almost nothing about sex until a few days ago when I started a new life. That was the enigmatic message Jack Murphy left behind before taking a dive into his empty swimming pool. Officially the police are calling it a suicide. But his scriptwriting partner, Phillie Liebowitz, knew Jack better than that. And when you think your partner has been murdered, the script says you do something about it. Phillie had known for years about Jack's sexual conquests, the steady parade of bored housewives and lonely divorcees. After all, infidelity wasn't that unusual in their charmed Long Island circle. But nothing prepared Phillie for the dark trail of illicit relationships he uncovers when he begins to retrace Jack's last - and most powerful - sexual odyssey. Nothing prepared Phillie either for the onslaught of violent crime and painful betrayal unleashed by his search. Suddenly he is risking everything to find a killer. Phillie used to be faithful - faithful was what he did best. His life was devoted to his suburban values: his kids, his debts, his partner and most impressively his wife. But the natural rhythm of Phillie's life is beating out of sync. Every bond that he once held sacred, every commitment that kept him in check, is about to be broken.