Jake Sands has had a truly action-packed life, Now a 40-something retiree, he first worked with a special government unit and then as a "recoverer" of stolen or missing objects...and people. His work made him a very rich man, but he paid a steep price: the double murder of his wife and child. Jake now spends his days working out and his nights staying awake with his memories.

One night, while jogging along the path of Coco Palms, the exclusive, high-security residential enclave in Santa Barbara where he lives, Jake literally stumbles upon a body. As the fates would have it, Jake is back in business.

Convinced by a beautiful lady to help find her missing husband, Jake's troubles are just beginning. In the process of helping her, more bodies turn up along with a treasure that's "to die for". He also has a confrontation with the Coco Palms security force, whose own criminal record could fill a book. And then there's the Santa Barbara police, run by a bullhead Texan who knows something he'd rather Jake didn't.

Jake Sands takes his place comfortably alongside such notable suspense heroes as Travis McGee, Dave Robicheaux, and Lew Archer. Night Shadows is the first in a new series by former actor Ron Ely that promises to become a winner.