However, collecting turns out to be more difficult than he expected. The guys who owe him don't see it quite that way, and when he ends up killing both of them, the war is on.  He takes off with the police in hot pursuit and then finds himself in a shopping mall with the Mayor's police officer son as his hostage.

Lieutenant Lawson, the police officer in charge of the fiasco, locks horns with the SWAT team and the FBI in territorial power struggles, and the story is filled with wild chase scenes, and a killing spree of legendary proportions.  The title says it all....the retribution is extreme.  And yet, the mad-dog killer, Noel Price, displays touches of humanity and mercy at times.

If you are ready for a violent, hard-case, read-all-night marathon, this is the book for you. I experienced various emotions in reading this story, but never neutral; sometimes I wanted the killer to get away, and sometimes I wanted the cops to get him.

Noel Price may be the alter-ego of author H. L. Pierce, since he too has spent many years behind bars, and writes using his own experiences. He writes with a sure touch, with an ideal background for his debut book.  His characters are compelling, not always likable, but always interesting.  The plot is fast and well developed with surprises all along the way, and a shocking ending that I won't soon forget.  I will be watching for more from this talented writer.