Texas by the Tail

A gambler looking to score big takes his game to Texas and finds himself in a load of trouble in this classic hard-boiled crime novel.

To everyone he's every played dice with, Mitch Corley seems like the luckiest guy around. But in truth, Corley's fast hands are the only gift fate's ever given him. He's never held down a steady job, and when it comes to women, his luck might just be the worst of all — his girlfriend and partner-in-crime Red would double-cross him in a heartbeat if she knew just how short on cash they really were. And if Red ever finds out about the wife Corley neglected to mention, there's a good chance that Corley might not survive the night.

At first, Mitch was sure Texas would be the perfect place for him and Red to run their game — there are players in nearly every back room and side-street across the state and here, the pockets run just a little deeper. But Corley forgot about one thing: Texans don't forgive easily. And there's nothing they hate more than a cheater.

“Jim Thompson must be ranked in the top bracket. I strongly urge you not to miss one of his books.” —Anthony Boucher, New York Times

“Thompson's novels are plaintive and obscene, raucous and bitterly funny.” —The Village Voice