Fort Worth, TX detective Alvis "Dutch" Curridge is back, and he's bringing Slant Face Sanders and the gang along for the ride of their lives. When the bartender at his favorite hangout, Peechie Keen's, is murdered, it's up to Dutch to set things right. And this time, he has to do it without Ruthie Nell Parker.

"Peechie Keen's bar in Old Fort Worth's Hell's Half-Acre is the site of the brutal murder of barkeep Patrick Cavanaugh, and Alvis "Dutch" Curridge's investigation of the crime presents a rogue's gallery of the southern criminal element with concisely-drawn characters that would have made Raymond Chandler weep with envy. As insightful as a red-tailed hawk riding the hot Texas wind over a rabbit warren, Tim Bryant's noirish literary wit and charm leaves me spellbound. Southern Select is most highly recommended!" -George Wier, author of The Bill Travis Mysteries.