It is Hunter's sixth novel whose hero is Bob Lee Swagger, a U. S. Marine Corps sniper who first appears in Point of Impact[1] which is partially set in the Vietnam War.

When Carl Hitchcock turns up dead from an apparent suicide he decides to investigate further to clear a fellow sniper's name.

The demonstration introduces a group of Irish soldiers who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The novel concludes with Swagger showing his ability to outlast and outwit his enemy in a duel of snipers, clearing the name of the fallen Hitchcock in the process.

[2][3] Other characters are based upon Ted Turner, Jane Fonda, Bill Ayers, and Chuck Mawhinney.