Spenser is back and his closest ally, Hawk, needs his help. Beaten and left for dead while protecting a bookie, Hawk needs to make connections - to allow himself to depend on others for the first time in his life. Embarking on an epic journey to rehabilitate his friend in body and soul, Spenser quickly learns that the Ukrainian mob is responsible for the hit. Finding a way into their tightly-knit circle proves to be less than simple - and, as their arrogance (and the body count) rises, Spenser is forced to employ some hard techniques in the name of vengeance.