Thomas Moran was seven years old in 1906 when the earthquake hit San Francisco. Separated from his mother and sisters, he had to fend for himself and became an accomplished pick-pocket, taking the craft to new heights. He grows up traveling from coast to coast in an America that is devastated by the depression, and crime is on the rise because of Prohibition. He meets Effie, the great love of his life, and she offers him a chance to change his life and go straight. Thomas is a funny, gritty, amoral hero that you have to love.

The plot is ready-made by the history of America during those years. The characters are picturesque Italian and Chinese gangsters, con artists, corrupt clergy and bootleggers. The resulting highly entertaining story will have you laughing and crying in turn, and reading all night to reach the unexpected conclusion. I will be looking forward to anything else written by this very talented storyteller.