Deadeyes

Book excerpt: Arthur Kneely, also known as Deadeyes, is a brain damaged former boxer, collegiate wrestler and debt collector in his early forties who lives in the town of River Ridge, New Jersey in 1973. He survives on disability, money he makes from bareknuckle fights, and a stipend from the local Catholic diocese. Because of his head injury, and the lack of control it has left him with, Arthur has killed several men. He is protected though by the local mob and police mainly because he has relatives in both organizations. Arthur lives on one side of a house that he shares with a mentally ill cannibalistic former nun named Marie. His Uncle Kevin is a New York City police captain, and he enlists Arthur's aid in solving the brutal murder of one of Arthur's associates from years ago. Although Arthur's injury has left him with a speech impediment and cognitive difficulties, his intuition proves invaluable in locating the murderer. When the two meet, all Hell breaks loose.