
The acclaimed author of By Reason of Insanity, The Anvil Chorus, and Go Down Dead offers "a relentlessly chilling and stark novel" (The Kansas City Star) and "a fresh, vital look at organized criminals that is so authentic, it's scary" (The Boston Globe).
A brutal power struggle erupts within the criminal underworld as rival factions vie for control over the city's illicit operations. The protagonist navigates a landscape defined by corruption, violence, and shifting loyalties, attempting to survive the machinations of powerful syndicate leaders. The narrative framework utilizes a gritty, third-person perspective to expose the mechanical operations of organized crime. Characters operate under the constant threat of betrayal, where physical survival depends on tactical foresight and the ability to exploit the weaknesses of adversaries. The world is depicted as a closed system of vice, where legal authority is either absent or complicit in the ongoing conflict.
Readers and critics frequently highlight the author's ability to construct a visceral and authentic atmosphere that captures the harsh realities of criminal life. Discussion often centers on the clinical precision with which the narrative dissects the mechanics of power and betrayal within the syndicate. Many observers note that the pacing remains tight throughout the novel, maintaining a consistent level of tension that mirrors the volatility of the characters' environment. The work is often cited for its refusal to romanticize the criminal lifestyle, opting instead for a stark, unflinching look at the consequences of such choices. Readers appreciate the depth of the characterizations, which provide a nuanced view of individuals trapped in a cycle of violence.
Page Count:
324
Publication Date:
1973-01-01
Publisher:
Holt, Rinehart and Winston
ISBN-10:
0030103363
ISBN-13:
9780030103360
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