Frank Ford is a survivor of 10 long years at the Metropole Bar, where he's babysitter and alcohol dealer to Zenith City's derelict class: the misfits, the losers, the crazies, the old fading lushes, and, of course, the budding young alcoholics unaware or indifferent to what lies ahead.

We first see Frank in the aftermath of his little brother's funeral. Ray was an addict and a constant irritant. Forgotten, is how Frank wanted to remember Ray. The police, who also lost no love for Ray Ford, are leaning towards a verdict of suicide for the swollen, pulpy body that washed ashore near the port terminal. Frank thinks it was murder, but he's willing to let it ride.

His grieving mother has other ideas.

Set in 1977, Dive Bartender: Sibling Rivalry combines elements of David Goodis and Raymond Chandler with the popular culture of the era to form a pulp novel of sex, drugs, violence and smelt fishing.