Sleaze (1985) presents another adventure of Sam Hunter, developing some of the themes of The Big Enchilada with greater emphasis. In addition to various comments denigrating the poor quality of modern life and the ethical shortcomings of humanity in general, Hunter focuses more explicitly on the exploitation implicit in pornography, drugs, and the movie industry. At one point Hunter comments that he has "had some experience with snakes," recalling one of the more surprising features of the ultimate showdown in The Big Enchilada. Some supporting characters reappear, most notably the straight but antagonistic cop Burroughs. In the earlier novel Hunter and Burroughs had both found it strange that they were on the same side. In Sleaze their roles are more typical of the traditional private eye novel as Burroughs tries to find Hunter while Hunter tries to find the chief villain.

Hunter's sexual and combative adventures have...