In a 1986 Paris Review interview, later reprinted in the "Writers at Work" series, Percy had kind words to say about the namesake and model for his Thanatos Syndrome protagonist: "My ideal is Thomas More, an English Catholic . . . who wore his faith with grace, merriment, and a certain wryness." Percy went on to say: "Incidentally, I reincarnated him again in my new novel and I'm sorry to say he has fallen upon hard times; he is a far cry from the saint, drinks too much, and watches reruns of M*A*S*H on TV." Percy forgot to mention that More is also just out of prison, after serving two years for selling amphetamines to truckers. Although More plays the role of detective in the investigation into the behavioral irregularities in West Feliciana, he hardly fits the stereotype of fictional private eye. He is tall and well built, yet...