Virgil Shaw

Virgil Shaw is a fictional character and recurring antagonist in the Hazard City series of crime novels by American author, Jake Wilder. First appearing in Neon Tomb (2018), Shaw is depicted as a ruthless and cunning crime boss operating primarily in the city's lucrative underground gambling circuit.

Shaw is characterized by his sophisticated demeanor and sharp intellect, often using manipulation and financial leverage rather than brute force to achieve his goals. He is frequently at odds with the series' protagonist, Detective Ray Maxwell, whose unwavering pursuit of justice clashes directly with Shaw's self-serving ambitions.

While Shaw primarily focuses on gambling dens and related rackets, his influence extends into other areas of Hazard City's criminal underworld, including narcotics and arms dealing. His vast network of informants and enforcers makes him a formidable opponent for law enforcement and rival criminal organizations alike. Despite his criminal activities, Shaw is portrayed as having a strict personal code, which, while morally questionable, governs his actions and differentiates him from other, more chaotic antagonists in the series. The power struggles and personal conflicts involving Virgil Shaw are central to the overarching narrative of the Hazard City series.