Digger is a tough guy. He works the bookie business in New Orleans and wants to get into something new. He's got a big deal cooking. He wants a meeting with Vitolo Giannini, the bossman. When he got done talking with Giannini, Digger felt like a fishing reel with a 500 lb marlin on the hook. Digger has to cut ties to some old pals and prove his loyalty to Mr G. He can then get his boats ready and his smuggling operation underway. Meanwhile half a dozen killers are after him for various reasons.
Lots of atmosphere here with gambling and drinking and lots of violence. At times Digger is a one man wrecking crew. Also, there's a long narrative about playing Hearts. The story is a gangster type novel and doesn't flow as well as it should in the early going. Halfway through all the bits and pieces start to make sense. It's a pulp era tale worth reading but not one of the author's best. ( )