On the Make

A disillusioned Korean War veteran seeks answers in the small town of Hillston, driven by a lead on $60,000 in embezzled funds revealed by a dying friend. As he searches for the money's location, he faces the threat of Earl Fitzmartin, a terrifying former POW. The quest intertwines with the lives of women from the dead man's past, including the respectable Ruth Stamm and the dangerous Toni Rassele. This early work by a crime writing legend showcases hard-boiled writing, brutal action, and complex characters, complemented by a biography of John D. MacDonald and an essay on the paperback revolution.