It's Saturday night, July 15th, 1944; and the Avalon is jumping with Blues lovers of all colors. Maximillion (Max) Slaughter, a buckskinned African American in his early thirties, the owner of the Avalon, is in the center of his universe, Oakland, California, the Harlem of the West. With his good looks, caring personality, and pearl bright smile, women are drawn to him, but none can compete with his love for the Avalon. In a week's time, Max meets the beautiful Lily Carter, who dies in his bed, searches for her son, finds her murderer, and buries her.
Max's journey pits him against two of the city's most powerful men and their plans for postwar riches. Their use of brutality and the fear it carries is not as motivating as the regret that fills Max's heart and haunts his dreams.
