Rico is a hitman with scruples; he doesn't kill anyone who doesn't deserve to be killed. Although he occasionally works for local crime bosses, he is an independent contractor and is selective about his assignments. While picking up his girlfriend and her elderly neighbor at a grocery store, he witnesses a boy chasing a flyball accidentally knock several bags of liquor out of a man's hands. The man, Larry Cosgrove, totally loses his cool, knocks the boy down, and then also the old man when he tries to calm the situation. The situation goes completely sideways and ends up with three of Larry's buddies dead, Rico shot full of holes, and Larry escaping. Larry happens to be a street thug and nephew of a local crime boss. Rico has worked for the crime boss before but knows he is guaranteed no protection, especially from someone as hotheaded as Larry.

Duncan's novel is written in short, tense sentences, and the writing moves the plot forward rapidly. The action scenes are well-written and display Rico's quick-thinking, skill, and deadliness as a hired assassin. The book lacks the complications of a Tom Clancy novel, and the main character is closer in scope to Dirk Pitt from a Clive Cussler book. The characters have a penchant to always be at the right place at the right time, whether that is to kidnap someone, stop a killing, or perform some other action. However, that is a trademark of many of these short, high action and adventure books. Readers who are fond of fast-paced stories will likely flip the pages as quickly as possible in this one and enjoy the ride.

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