At the City's Edge by Marcus Sakey

 

Looking at the blurbs and cover text, it occurred to me that this novel might have a bit of Ludlum in it--something about a former soldier and a conspiracy--and it does! Of course, it all takes place in Chicago, and mostly not any of the really happy parts, but aside from the geographical constraints, it really has many of the right elements. There's even a romantic interest--if it's one that remains unconsummated, at least within the text of the novel. (It's pretty clear that's not a condition that's going to last long past the novel's end.)  Sakey has a sense of story and a feel for people and a knack for turning phrases, this is a remarkably strong novel.