First edition. Small bookstore stamp bottom of front fly, tears at the spine ends, the silver lettering on the spine quite rubbed, a near very good copy lacking the dust jacket. Inscribed by the author: ""Hi Leonard Sanders - Good to see you - and hope you like this latest in the series - Meanwhile, best of luck - Sincerely, Mickey Spillane."" A poorly manufactured volume, the author's seventh novel and the basis for the hardboiled film noir of the same name, directed by Robert Aldrich, scripted by A.I. Bezzerides and starring Ralph Meeker as Mike Hammer. The violent and inventive film was a major influence on the French New Wave directors and enjoys a considerable cult following.