It was seven o'clock in the evening on Tuesday August 14, 1945.

This was a special day because this was Victory in Japan Day. People were dancing in the streets. Women were kissing strangers, sailors and soldiers in Times Square. World War II was finally over. The boys would be coming home. Parents were ecstatic. With a little luck, their boys would make it home in one piece. The word of the day was relief. People left work early. Tears of joy were common. Hitler and his minions would not be taking up residence in America after all. The world held new promise.

Then suddenly, without warning, bombs exploded in southern California. People were injured and some killed. Who was responsible? Was it fifth columnists? Was it a mad bomber? Was the war really over?

Chester Brantley was a private eye living in Orange, California. He was injured by one of the bombs. The shoe shine man in his office building was killed by the same blast. Brantley is pulled into the mystery. He follows a trail of suspicious deaths, murders, kidnappings, and chase scenes to solve The Three Coffin Caper.