In New York City during Prohibition, only gutter rules apply. New York City, 1920. "I've killed more people in the last year than I did in the entire war," says newly minted private eye Joey Batista. No wonder the DA is after him. But so are Chicago mobsters, a New York drug lord, a corrupt politician, a viperous hitman and even his old gang. Not even Joey's tight Italian family can keep him out of trouble. In fact, they've got secrets of their own. It helps to have a friend on the police force and the respect of the local mob boss. And it doesn't hurt to have two gorgeous assistants who keep their wits sharp, their knives close and their beds warm. But only Joey can solve the one case that truly haunts him-the mysterious deaths of several young girls at the hands of a serial killer, the same thug who might have murdered the only woman Joey ever loved. In New York City during Prohibition, only gutter rules apply. And Joey learns if you're going to survive, you've got to call up your demons and just hope they don't destroy you.