In 1975, former Viet Nam veteran and war hero Hanson has found his niche, as a police officer working the mean streets of the Portland, Oregon's North Precinct. Quite simple, this part of town is a depressed neighborhood where only the exiled or insane labor as cops. To Hanson, a daredevil with no fear, this job allows him to feel like he is still in Nam because drugs and guns have turned the streets into a war zone.

Thriving on the violence, Hanson soon finds himself the target of a peer, using his military record to destroy the morally honest cop. Hanson realizes that the only way he will stop his hidden foe is to obtain the help of a noted murderer who deals, Doc Dawson. However, turning to Doc brings a rush of nasty memories as he and Hanson are the sole survivors of a Special Forces unit.

NIGHT DOGS is not a book for the faint of heart or anyone who demands that their men and women in blue have John Wayne-like characters. The novel is also not for those who desire a strong story line. Instead, Kent Anderson's book is for those readers interested in a realistic portrayal of police life in an inner city. The audience will feel thatimmense sense of helplessness felt by the police who believe they are constantly under siege by the same people they're being paid to protect. I strongly recommend this novel and Hanson's other tale (SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL) for anyone who wants the genuine griminess and ugliness of reality.