A historical romance set in New York during the early days of the internet. Ironic, anarchic, dark. "Bleeding Edge" refers to a cutting-edge electronic application that has yet to prove its usefulness. Like DeepArcher, an enhanced version of Second Life, where anything seems possible. Even money laundering or planning terrorism for 9/11, without leaving a trace. This is why a small New York economic detective named Maxine Tarnow is interested, along with intelligence agencies and international criminals. She is Jewish, divorced, has two school-aged children, and a truly unimpressive bulge in her handbag where she hides her lady's Beretta.