The book opens with an overview of Biloxi’s history, presented by the omniscient third-person narrator. Biloxi started as a resort and fishing community on the Gulf Coast and later developed a thriving underworld of illegal alcohol (during the prohibition area), drugs, gambling, and sex work: “The biggest obstacle facing any attempts at reform was the longtime corruption of the police and elected officials” (5). A “Dixie Mafia” developed, “a loose assortment of bad boys and misfits who preferred crime over honest work” (6). Although they had no central group or leader, over time one club owner consolidated his holdings and gained influence; he became known as “the boss.” The narrative later reveals that “the boss” is Lance Malco, father of Hugh Malco—one of the “boys” referred to in the title.

The narrative introduces the two “boys from Biloxi,” Keith Rudy and Hugh Malco, both born in 1948, one month apart. Both grow up in Biloxi, attend the same school, go to the same Catholic church, and play baseball together. As kids, they’re friends; the book follows their progression to enemies, as Hugh follows in his father’s footsteps (a club owner/“the boss”) to pursue a life of crime, and Keith follows in his father’s footsteps (a lawyer/District Attorney) to clean up Biloxi crime.