This book investigates the complex web of international intrigue and state-sponsored terrorism surrounding the 1976 assassination of Orlando Letelier in Washington, D.C. Eugene M. Propper, the lead federal prosecutor on the case, collaborates with journalist Taylor Branch to document the exhaustive legal and investigative efforts required to track the perpetrators. The narrative provides a detailed look at the bureaucratic and political hurdles faced by investigators as they navigated diplomatic tensions and intelligence agency interference to secure justice.

Experts and legal scholars frequently cite this work as a definitive primary source for understanding the complexities of international terrorism investigations during the Cold War era. Readers often note the meticulous attention to procedural detail and the candid nature of the interviews with the perpetrators.