In 1900, out-of-work former butcher Pat Crowe kidnaps the teenage son of Omaha's wealthiest meatpacking tycoon for a ransom of $25,000 in gold. It's the crime of a lifetime for this unlikely Robin Hood, who then burgles, safe-cracks, and bond-jumps his way across the country and beyond. Based on a true story, Andrew Hilleman's debut novel follows Crowe (and the massive manhunt on his heels), as he heads for a showdown in the court of public opinion, between the haves and have-nots—all while plotting a return to the woman he never stopped loving.

"A rollicking great read that careens between funny and poignant, intimate and epic, action-packed and romantic.... Its themes are as contemporary as breaking news."—Michael Punke