The Big Beyond is a sequel to Michael LIster's first book in the series, The Big Goodbye. It's a noir crime fiction set in Florida during the 1940's. The scenes take place in Panama City as America joins the Allied forces in World War II. Lister provides the reader with some historical facts about the war and what Panama City looked like before it was developed into a tourist destination.

The main character, Jimmy "Soldier" Riley is wounded as the second installment begins. His lover has just been murdered and he decides to investigate who killed her. He is a blend of Humphrey Bogart's crass bluntness, James Cagney's raw and brooding emotions, and Gary Cooper's cool-headed bravery. The retro aspects detailed in the setting and the prevailing attitude give the tale a genuine vibe. In the vein of noir crime detective stories, The Big Beyond holds many mysteries, keeping the reader in the dark until Riley makes the discovery. The author creates an auro of impending doom, causing readers to sit on the edge of their seats. The violence is overly graphic at times, injecting too much realism for a work of fiction, but the historical vibe of the story makes if permissible.