Plunder Squad

The hard-boiled atmosphere is so distinctive, but I wonder if it was a conscious choice from the start or evolved through the writing process.

The protagonists operate in shades of gray, which makes it hard to root for them but also adds depth. How do others feel about their choices?

The gritty, noir cityscape really immerses readers. I'm curious whether Stark based it on a real place or crafted it entirely from imagination.