Assessment:

Broeren treads little new ground in his depiction of strip club bouncer Ron McCallister and exotic dancer Carey Sullivan, who predictably form a relationship despite threats from Chicago area gangsters in 2008.  The stereotypical collusion of civic officials with conventionally despicable criminals and the repetitive killings are familiar genre elements, and are less appealing than the often quirky dialogue of the main characters.  Too often, the author describes, rather than develops, character background.  Broeren's steady pacing provides interesting reading, yet the melodramatic note of menace at the conclusion feels contrived.

Date Submitted: July 13, 2016