This Edgar Award winner is a &“raucously funny&” novel of crime, con artists, and a poor sucker caught in the middle, by the author of the Dortmunder series (Kirkus Reviews). If there is a scam operating anywhere, sooner or later it will find Fred Fitch. The pure-hearted, gullible man seems to get taken every time he turns around. At this point, he&’s been ripped off so many times he&’s got a regular contact at New York&’s bunco squad. Now Fred&’s late Uncle Matt, who he never even heard of before, has willed him $317,000. Along with the inheritance comes the devoted Gertie Divine, Uncle Matt&’s old friend who is all too willing to become Fred&’s new friend—and a host of other mysterious characters who are willing to get chummy with Fred in hopes of getting their hands on that fortune. But soon it&’s not just Fred&’s money that&’s in danger but his life, in this &“high-spirited farce&” (The Washington Post) by the master of comic crime fiction—starring a character the New York Times called &“unforgettable . . . Everybody&’s favorite loser.&” &“Masterful.&” —Publishers Weekly
