Book excerpt: These tales follow the exploits of Ben Drake, a detective with a passion for small cigars and big fights, a love of Old Grand Dad and a weakness for women in trouble. North of Las Vegas in the fictional town of Testacy City, Drake sniffs out killers, thieves, kidnappers, double crossers, crooked cops and number runners, all culminating in the bizarre murder of Gentleman Joe Biggs, a well loved bowling hero. As he continues to crack clues in the case, Drake is drawn deeper into a city wide criminal conspiracy.