In this second book of the series, bootlegger Mick Powers is trying to survive his reluctant association with the Barker-Karpis gang. It's Christmas, 1932 and the gang has targeted a Minneapolis bank. Mick is the "jug marker" who sets up what he hopes is a bloodless robbery. But when the Barker gang hooks up with the madman known as The Chopper, things quickly go wrong.