James H. Brown

Architect's life is plagued by his ex-wife, a master manipulator, whose constant clawing is about to drive off his new love, and his clientèle. As a hobby, he enjoys training a rare harpy eagle, with a Native-American pal, who empathizes with his plight, and a plan of action coalesces.

Harper is a cynical private eye in the best tradition of Bogart. He even has Bogie's Baby hiring him to find her missing husband, getting involved along the way with an assortment of unsavory characters and an illegal-alien smuggling ring.

Marnie is a beautiful but emotionally withdrawn thief, stealing from employers before disappearing under new identities. When her new boss, Mark Rutland, discovers her secret, his fascination turns to obsession, and he blackmails her into marriage, convinced he can cure her. But as he probes deeper into Marnie’s fractured mind, long-buried fears and compulsions begin to surface.

Thousands of birds flock into a seaside town and terrorize the residents in a series of deadly attacks.