The "players" in this story are goons who are involved with the mob and are locked into crime and violence. No one ever said that "players" are smart – and they certainly are not in this hard-boiled crime novel.

Eddie Lovell, the main character (he certainly can not be considered in any way the "hero"), is a two-bit hood who met mobster Moria Mendle in prison, saving his life. Moria repays him by giving Eddie the job of his chauffeur. Moria's life consists of one "deal" after another. Eddie doesn't really like his boss or even himself but he has nothing else to do. Born into a rich, but unloving, family, Eddie has made a real mess out of his life – not good enough to play football professionally, he fell into a life of crime, making money the "easy" way. The only thing with any meaning in his life is his daughter, Barbara.

Barbara is trying to save money so she can put herself through the police academy. She is as different from her father as is possible. She shares her apartment with an older gal, Vicki, who is trying desperately to become an actress. The plot involves Vicki's kidnapping – the dumb kidnappers think she is Barbara – and Eddie's attempts to free her. The cast of characters includes such stereotypes as stupid kidnappers, a black dude who is Eddie's psycho sister's lover, a taciturn bodyguard, a roughneck guard named Al (who is really a female), crooked police, and ruthless mobsters. There is a crazy search for treasure that Eddie supposedly has (only he doesn't realize what it is.)

The characters kind of grow on you, but unfortunately it takes too long for that to happen. By the middle of the book, the reader is tired of merciless killings, foul language, sexual escapades, and the seeming-never-to-end hunt for the kidnappers. The only good part of the book is Vicki's struggle to escape – only you just wished you actually liked her. This reviewer gives it a thumbs-down – too much violence, too much graphic language, and characters that no one will really care about.

--Kay Black