Ray Dudgeon started out as an investigative journalist. He and his friend wanted to be the next Woodward and Bernstein. His friend stayed with the newspaper. Disillusionment caused Ray to change careers and he is now a hardboiled PI in Chicago. He does not take prisoners. The character reminds me of Spillane's Mike Hammer.

The novel is well written and gives a picture of The Outfit (organized crime), turf battles, and corruption in high places. Dudgeon was not really looking for work. It is the Christmas season, and he was thinking about taking some time off, but he is talked into taking a job as a bodyguard to a witness against a low ranking member of organized crime. The case is not that simple, and the risks are a lot higher than he expected.

Along the way, you meet some interesting characters in Dudgeon's life. The characters are well developed, and you get a sprinkling of Chicago scenery. Like the late Dashiel Hammett, the author was a PI at one time early in his career.

I am not normally a fan of the hard-boiled detective story, but for this book, I've made an exception. The characterizations are deep and rich. The author makes us care for these people, even as we recognize their flaws. The mystery is masterfully crafted, a suspense to the end. The book left me yearning for more--more of this character, more of this author. This is quite simply a great read. Even if you are not a crime or mystery or detective fan, the book merits a look.