This fictional story is set during
The Great Depression and follows the career of Carl (Carlos) Webster, a crack shot, well respected, and mannerful lawman who killed his first criminal, aged 15. The reader follows Carlos' career and his conflict with Jack Belmont, an ambitious criminal who wants to become
public enemy number one. The story follows other characters like Louly Brown, a woman who loves Carlos, but wants to be known as
Pretty Boy Floyd's gal. There's also writer Tony Antonelli, of
True Detective magazine. Carl Webster is presented as the son of Virgil Webster, introduced in Leonard's 1998 novel
Cuba Libre. Both men reappear in Leonard's 2007 novel ''
Up In Honey's Room''. Real life contemporary
bank robbers who make an appearance in the novel include
Bonnie and Clyde,
Pretty Boy Floyd,
Machine Gun Kelly,
John Dillinger and
Baby Face Nelson ==Reception==