Fun and not too serious crime fiction by HSK, featuring several loosely interlinked stories and the usual cacophony of HSK characters - imagine an alternative Chicago Damon Runyon universe. HSK has a reputation for being batshit crazy but this really isn't too bad.
More seriously he has a peculiar reputation for being racially insensitive. Yes, he doggedly transcribes dialect; but considering he was writing pre-WW2 he was ahead of his time in giving positive portrayals of ethnic minorities, and mixed-race couples (which, being in one, could get you lynched in some places at the time). He was fascinated by Chinese culture and it is usually quite evident even if he isn't above poking fun at it as well. He does have an unfortunate propensity for making 'down on his luck man who wants to marry a wealthy / influential woman' his go-to plot driver, but it doesn't always end the same way.
It was as I say a fun read.