"BITTERLY FUNNY . . . A] SLEEK FIRST NOVEL . . . NOIR CRIME . . . HAS FOUND A STERLING NEW CHAMPION IN PHILLIPS." "-The New York Times Book Review " "A FUTURE HARD-BOILED CLASSIC-TIGHT, COLD, AND CACKLING WITH IRONY. On Christmas Eve in Wichita], a mob lawyer is skipping town with the cash. But in this boozy, neo-noir world-James M. Cain meets George V. Higgins-the best-laid plans of bagmen turn brutal." "-The Dallas Morning News " "OMINOUS, ACTION-PACKED. . . This is a confident, wry debut . . . that] may remind readers of "Fargo" or "Pulp Fiction."" " -Detroit Free Press " "I SIMPLY CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT SCOTT PHILLIPS WILL DO NEXT. This] funny, tough first novel felt like it was written by an old pro, an Elmore Leonard we've never heard about who's discovered a place where the criminals are really dumb, the low-lifes are oh-so-fun to watch and, if somebody just happens to get what he deserves, there's no one to blame." -RICHARD RUSSO Author of "Straight Man" "A DARKLY COMIC, SOMETIMES BRUTAL PIECE OF NOIR FICTION." "-The Denver Post " Finalist for the Hammett Prize