Cogan's trade

de George V. Higgins

"Jackie Cogan is an enforcer for the New England mob. When a high-stakes card game is heisted by unknown hoodlums, Cogan is called in to 'handle' the problem. Moving expertly and ruthlessly among a variety of criminal hacks, hangers-on, and bigger-time crooks--a classic cast of misfits animated by Higgins's hilarious, cracklingly authentic dialogue--Cogan gets to the root of the problem and, with five consecutive shots from a Smith & Wesson thirty-eight Police Special, restores order to his corner of the Boston underworld."--Publisher's description.