The narrative centers on the rise and inevitable decline of notorious Prohibition-era gangster Jack "Legs" Diamond as observed through the perspective of his legal counsel. Marcus Gorman, a lawyer who abandons his conventional political ambitions, becomes captivated by the volatile lifestyle of Diamond and his mistress, Kiki Roberts. The story operates as a character study of a criminal icon, utilizing Gorman's retrospective narration to examine the intersection of celebrity, violence, and the moral decay of the 1920s and 1930s. The world is defined by the rigid hierarchies of the underworld and the shifting political landscape of Albany, New York.

Readers and critics frequently note the stylistic precision with which Kennedy captures the cadence of the era. Discussion often centers on the effectiveness of using a secondary character like Gorman to maintain a sense of distance from the protagonist's violent actions. Many highlight the balance between the gritty reality of criminal life and the myth-making process inherent in tabloid journalism. The prose is often praised for its ability to ground historical figures in a specific, tangible setting without relying on excessive sentimentality. This work is widely regarded as a foundational entry in the author's broader exploration of the American urban experience.