"Originally published in hardback by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, and ©1954 ... Reprinted in paperback by Popular Library, New York, 1955 as Strip the Heart"--Title page verso.

Includes bibliographical references.

Loner Bat Fidler lands a wrestling job at a carnival sideshow, where he meets Emmy, a scrappy stripper, Fish Boy, the belligerent guy in charge, and his lovely wife, Fish Girl, one of the stars of the freakshow. Bat as usual finds himself the misfit among the other performers, and even arguing with Emmy. It's not long before Bat realizes that, in spite of her deformity, it's Fish Girl he wants. That's when his life at the carnival turns to violence, and all their lives are changed.