A humorous look at the American political establishment, Detour Man is a mystery which reveals who it is that moves the levers of power behind the scenes in America. A Boston Brahmin banker, Randall Abbot, having inappropriately borrowed a large amount of money from a trust account has committed an error of judgment which could result in unintended consequences, the tarnishing of his family name and the loss of the presidency of Bankster's Trust. In a desperate attempt to replace the money before an impending audit he becomes involved with Klaus Streiker, a gentleman with a questionable background who is affiliated with the Zoorich bank of Switzerland. Randall Abbot's wife, Mercedes, concerned about her husband's increasing distance and reticence suspects he is having an affair and hires a private detective, Mike Valentine. The resulting investigation reveals who Klaus Streiker is involved with and more. Detour Man is also a tale of romance involving two love stories: one story of Randall and Mercedes Abbot as they see their marriage slipping away, and the other of a young couple, Vinnie Manoli and Lucille Zapatori, as they prepare to enter holy matrimony. At the conclusion of the story a member of the European aristocracy, the Duke of Oldloot, explains who it is that holds the reins of power.