In this maddeningly clever novel about collectors, collecting and a search for the world's most reclusive writer since J.D. Salinger, Steve Geddes is a writer who has been commissioned to write a book about collectors. His research introduces him to a Felliniesque cast of characters, including an alluring woman named Victoria who collects lovers who collect cars.

While some try to organize the chaos of the universe by collecting, others do it by amassing knowledge. One of these others is Steve's friend Jim, who has made a long term financial commitment to purchase all 18 volumes of The Books of Power, the most eccentric encyclopedia ever written (the entry on Britain begins "England swings like a pendulum do"). Steve notices there is an entry on the reclusive writer, Thornton McCain, that mentions a novel Steve has never heard of - The Bullet Leaves the Gun.

In spite of himself, Steve sets out in search of this possibly apocryphal book and its reclusive author, and what he finds is astounding.