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FREEZEOUT is the second book in the series featuring Jake Morgan an ex-cop, gambler, and casino dealer and actually starts in the 1950s when Chicago mobster Carmine Bonello disappears. Bonello had been slowly defrauding the mob in Vegas where he was based to secure his family's future. But he suddenly disappears without a trace, much to the dismay of all concerned especially his wife Olivia. Fifty years after his disappearance nobody still knows what happened to Bonello but there are those who believe that Olivia has been holding something back all these years. Morgan soon finds himself stuck with looking after Angelica, his boss's great niece and Olivia's granddaughter, while she is on a brief visit to Vegas. However, some rather dubious people are also interested in Angelica's visit as well. It soon becomes clear after both Morgan and Angelica have been attacked on more than one occasion that someone wants them dead. FREEZEOUT is an interesting read, with a pivotal event taking place within the prologue, which sets the reader up for the rest of the story. Not having read the first book in the series, RAW DEAL, that introduced readers to the protagonist Jake Morgan, his behaviour at times leaves a lot to be desired. Nevertheless, Jake also comes across as a very down-to-earth person who is under no illusions as to the people that he works for and the position that he finds himself in. The workings of the mob are also integral part of the story and the author manages to use the information judiciously. There is one interesting touch that is rather unusual and quaint and that is that the author has used cards as chapter headings. It is evident from the tone of the book and the way in which FREEZEOUT has been written that the author not only knows his way around Las Vegas but also the casino tables. As engaging as I found this novel sadly, I kept on comparing it to another poker series, which I find a lot more engaging and appealing. I think that one of the reasons why (despite the fact that this is a reasonably well-written book) I did not fully get on with this book or warm to it is because I felt that there was too much information about poker, which I just was not attracted to.
Reviewed by Ayo Onatade, May 2005
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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
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