<b>Elmore Leonard meets Denis Johnson in this explosive first novel set on the seedy side of Southern California.</b><br><br><br><br>Ex-marine Jimmy Boone-former bodyguard to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place>'s rich and famous-is fresh out of Corcoran, on parole, and trying to keep his nose clean until he figures out his next move. He has a job tending bar on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Hollywood Boulevard</st1:address></st1:street>, serving drinks to tourists, and is determined to put the past behind him.<br><br>  But trying to do the right thing has always been Boone's downfall. When he backs up a buddy on a hero-for-hire gig-looking into the mysterious death of a kid on a downtown bus-he once again finds himself in a world of trouble.<br><br>  As Boone learns more about the boy, an innocent who got involved with the wrong people, his investigation becomes a mission. Along the dangerous margins of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:city></st1:place>, he encounters down-on-their-luck drug dealers, a vengeful stripper, a dog-fighting ring, a beautiful ex-cop, a vicious crime boss and his crew, and a fortune in counterfeit bills. Before long, Boone realizes that his quest to get at the truth about a ruthless murder may also turn out to be his last chance at redemption. <br><br><i>This Wicked World </i>is a knock-out blend of superb writing and breakneck storytelling that grabs you by the collar and makes it impossible to stop reading.