The Friedman family has a long-established property development business, and the time has come to pass control to the eldest son. But in the wee hours of a dark night, before first son Richard can assume the position, he falls to his death from his condo balcony. The cops call it suicide. Richard Friedman's siblings agree with the police, as does Richard's fiancé, who feels betrayed by 'his cowardly act '. But Mother Friedman thinks her first born was murdered and she hires Falk McCoy to find the person or persons who killed him. Falk thinks he'll earn some easy money, but he soon learns falling from high places is a Friedman family tradition and his easy money is a euphemism for pain and suffering.Miami is hot, crowded and nasty, but Falk and the usual cast of characters are here to make spending time in this multicultural city worthwhile.