Raoul Whitfield was a storyteller whose gritty life experiences informed the vibrant scenes he depicted. His writings, often set in exotic locales like the Far East and interwoven with his own wartime exploits, offered sharp, action-packed adventures. Whitfield carved a niche in the rugged world of pulp magazines, particularly with Black Mask, where his hard-boiled detective tales earned praise from genre masters. His unique talent lay in crafting thrilling narratives that plunged readers into worlds of danger and intrigue, solidifying his status as a significant voice in pulp fiction.
Whitfield's first novel, and the one critics like best (Hammett loved it, but, then, Whitfield and Hammett were drinking buddies.) The story begins with Mal Ourney's release from a two-year prison sentence. While in prison Ourney apparently develops sympathy for the small-time crooks he meets, and hatches a plan to get the big guys when he gets out. Rumors of this spread outside the prison walls and he is a target for a frame-up within hours of his release.