Two trains running
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Main Authors: | |
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Published: |
Pantheon Books,
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Publisher Address: | New York |
Publication Dates: | c2005. |
Literature type: | Book |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Carrier Form: | 447 p.: ; 25 cm. |
ISBN: |
1400043816 9781400043811 |
Index Number: | I712 |
CLC: | I712.45 |
Call Number: | I712.45/V119 |
Contents: | The time, 1959-and America. The place-a small, entirely corrupt Midwestern burg named Locke City, currently owned top to bottom by homegrown Royal Beaumont. Crippled by a childhood disease, Royal rules from a wheelchair-throne; few, though, have ever doubted that his power is absolute. Or not until now, when rival mobs-one Irish, one Italian-suddenly sense windows of opportunity. They lurk at Locke City's perimeter and sniff around Royal's honey-pots-prostitution, gambling, protection-in a way calculated to cause maximum anxiety. In response, Royal sends for outside help in the form of Walker Dett, a man with the sort of "stillness" to him. Dett is a killer, a hired gun with the war smarts of a Clausewitz. There's plot and counterplot as hard guys maneuver for position and form unlikely alliances. Dett, however, is always in charge, a dodge ahead of his enemies. He schemes, lures and, when at last he pounces, few are left standing. But Dett has a softer side and it catches him unaware. One night, the Angel of Death meets an Earth Angel and, to his astonishment, he falls in love. Life altering for Dett; for thereader unexpectedly moving. A bit of a slow coach in the middle, but it recovers well. |