This special collector's edition of Man's Ruin features a classic noir cover created by artist Astor Alexander and includes the prequel short story, "Whatever Lola Wants". Also included is "The Sweet Spot: Pulp Fiction and Modern Romance", an essay by the author about the relationship between crime fiction and the modern romance novel. Magdalene is a mob-connected madam. Tommy Flynn is the hitman who loves her. And when they're framed for the murder of a rival crime boss's favorite son, Magdalene fears the sins of her past have come back to haunt her. After spending half a lifetime in a seamy underworld where love is for sale and men worship at the altar of sex and greed, claiming sanctuary in a cathedral is the last thing she wants to do - and the only chance she has to find out who set her up. With all clues pointing to Magdalene's ex-lover, a working girl called Lola, the legendary madam is reluctant to trust Tommy, a smooth-talking hired gun, and risk being burned again. But as time grows short and secrets are revealed, Magdalene will have to look into the dark places inside herself if she is to catch a killer and survive with body and soul intact. In the corrupt city of Crawley, Massachusetts, passion, crime and religion collide in this steamy, neo-noir romantic thriller.