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DEADMAN'S POKER
by James Swain
Fawcett, April 2006
384 pages
$6.99
ISBN: 0345475496


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

James Swain's poker series is going from strength to strength. In DEADMAN'S POKER retired police officer-turned-casino consultant Tony Valentine finds himself involved in the World Poker Showdown. What starts as a deathbed confession to his son Gerry (now a reformed bookie and now his father's partner) by his lifelong friend about a scam that cannot be traced turns into something much more.

The start of the championships is marred by an accusation of cheating by Rufus Steele. Steele, an old Texas gambler and ageing grifter (who himself is no stranger to fleecing suckers with a wide range of improbable bets and stunts), has accused tournament darling and favourite Skip DeMarco of cheating. Demarco is a relative newcomer but appears to be cheating his way to victory. However not only is DeMarco blind, but he is also the nephew of a notorious mobster -- someone not to be messed with.

Aghast at the accusation, the Nevada Gaming Control call in Tony Valentine to investigate. Valentine's mission is to find out who is scamming the world's biggest poker tournament and how they are doing it. Everyone whom he speaks to believes that DeMarco is cheating but they do not know how. In the process, Tony uncovers other cheating in poker and blackjack.

Gerry, meanwhile, is determined to find out who murdered his friend. Along with a couple of his rather shady and dubious friends he sets about doing so. Before too long Tony and Gerry's case coincide with devastating effect and the two of them find that they are also investigating a murder as well.

This is the sixth book in the series and one of the best things about it is that the author has not allowed the characters to become stale. They have all evolved -- from Tony with his relationship with his son and daughter-in-law to the way in which he deals not only with the lovely reporter but also Steele.

Once again, Swain has written a book that is not too heavy-handed on the gambling tips and folklore but with just enough information to move the story along and keep it interesting. This series may not have a wide audience but it most certainly has a cult following who delight in the antics of Tony Valentine and his son.

Reviewed by Ayo Onatade, August 2006

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Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


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