Mass Market Paperback. Zustand: Good. First Edition. Gold Medal Red Seal #24; 12mo 7" - 7½" tall; 272 pages; 1952 Gold Medal Red Seal #24. Mass market paperback original. First edition stated. Soundly bound in glossy pictorial covers from art by John Floherty. Reader creased, with a few shallow flakes lost to spine surface, which is slightly concave. Light shelf rubbing and wear to cover edges. Expected light general toning to page stock. Structurally sound and unmarked, though worn; suitable for careful handling but not ideal as a reading copy. Uncommon 1st printing of this hardboiled noir novel, later rediscovered by noir collectors and reprinted by Stark House Press. G+.