The novel, set in Chicago, is the story of two childhood friends and young criminals, Danny Carter and Evan McGann.

Years after their criminal partnership dissolved, like Carter has reformed himself and started a respectable new life, his former partner soon returns from prison to threaten Carter's peaceful new existence with demands of re-teaming.

The Blade Itself was selected as a New York Times Editor's Pick and named one of Esquire Magazine's 5 Best Reads of 2007.

[1] In 2008, director and actor Ben Affleck bought the film rights to the novel for his production company.

[2][3] On November 3, 2009, Chris Pine was expected to star, Affleck would produce and write a draft of the script, and Steven Zaillian and Sam Raimi were in negoiations to direct.