'[Spillane] was a quintessential Cold War writer, an unconditional believer in good and evil' Washington Times

Before Jack Reacher . . . there was Mike Hammer

'Spillane is a master at compelling you always to turn the next page' NEW YORK TIMES

Out-of-town salesman Chester Wheeler is an old war buddy of PI Mike Hammer's. Now he's dead, supposedly having shot himself after an all-night drinking session - as Hammer's guest. Hammer wakes up to the sound of the police questioning him, but he suspects murder. While the DA takes his PI and gun licences, Hammer gets out on the trail. Pushing his way through a swirl of gay bars and gaming clubs, high-price fashion models and not just a little blackmail, he realises someone is working hard to frame him. And, with the help of his police buddy, Pat Chambers, and secretary Velda - now holding her own PI licence - he's working hard to find out why.

Everywhere he turns, he keeps coming up against a blonde beauty named Juno. She holds the key to a crime wave that could unlock the mystery behind Chester's murder . . .