[A] funny, craftily malevolent first novel, an ice-pick-sharp crime story that sustains
its film-noir energy all the way to an outrageous whammy of an ending. Janet Maslin,
New York Times

A pitch-perfect foray into pulp fiction, witty and bitter, with an ironic conclusion that makes a neat
package. Library Journal

Its Christmas Eve, 1979, in Wichita, and Charlie Arglist, a crooked lawyer and strip-club owner, is drunkenly
making the rounds before he blows town for good. Getting progressively drunker and deeper in trouble,
Charlie needs to drop off a photograph of a local official in a compromising position and steal some drug
money. Before its all over, a lot of people are going to wind up dead.

Scott Phillips was born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, and lived for many years in France. He now lives with his wife and daughter in Southern California.

Grover Gardner, named one of the "Best Voices of the Century" by AudioFile magazine, has recorded more than five hundred audiobooks. He is the recipient of more than thirteen Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award. In addition to narrating, he has an active career as an actor and stage director. He lives in Washington, D.C.