{"product_id":"this-wicked-world-9780316018791","title":"This Wicked World","description":"\u003cb\u003eElmore Leonard meets Denis Johnson in this explosive first novel set on the seedy side of Southern California.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Ex-marine Jimmy Boone-former bodyguard to Los Angeles's rich and famous-is fresh out of Corcoran, on parole, and trying to keep his nose clean until he figures out his next move. He has a job tending bar on Hollywood Boulevard, serving drinks to tourists, and is determined to put the past behind him. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e But trying to do the right thing has always been Boone's downfall. When he backs up a buddy on a hero-for-hire gig -- looking into the mysterious death of a kid on a downtown bus -- he once again finds himself in a world of trouble. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e As Boone learns more about the boy, an innocent who got involved with the wrong people, his investigation becomes a mission. Along the dangerous margins of Los Angeles, he encounters down-on-their-luck drug dealers, a vengeful stripper, a dog-fighting ring, a beautiful ex-cop, a vicious crime boss and his crew, and a fortune in counterfeit bills. Before long, Boone realizes that his quest to get at the truth about a ruthless murder may also turn out to be his last chance at redemption. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThis Wicked World\u003c\/i\u003e is a knock-out blend of superb writing and breakneck storytelling that grabs you by the collar and makes it impossible to stop reading.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eRichard Lange\u003c\/b\u003e is the author of the story collections \u003ci\u003eDead Boys\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eSweet Nothing\u003c\/i\u003e and the novels \u003ci\u003eThis Wicked World\u003c\/i\u003e and \u003ci\u003eAngel Baby\u003c\/i\u003e. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the International Association of Crime Writers' Hammett Prize, and the Rosenthal Family Foundation Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. He lives in Los Angeles.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Back Bay Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50923962368274,"sku":"9780316018791","price":18.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_0c54b996-6db3-4a68-84a4-c0281f63edff.jpg?v=1738966311","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/this-wicked-world-9780316018791","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}