Tom Gantry is a man trembling on the edge of collapse.

He has assumed the persona of John Manis AKA Johnny Manic, a wealthy IT coding guru. The resemblance is so striking that Manis would play tricks on people, and laugh like hell at the deceit.

Gantry gambles his way through Manis’ fortune before settling in Napa Valley with a few thousand in his pocket.

There, he meets the femme fatale Marilyn Dupree whose husband is a millionaire hustler and a big name in a small town.

Keeping an eye on everything is Detective Lou Eisenfall, who knows deep in his bones that the chemistry between Gantry and Dupree is nitro glycerin.

To Hell With Johnny Manic is written in classic noir style and as you read you feel all of Gantry’s near collapses. He is bordering a bit upon insanity and thinks Marilyn is his saviour. Yeah – no.