Helpful Score: 3
Through out this book, it is hard to believe the main character is 40 years old. She is so naive that it feels like she is stupid in a lot of ways. For this reason, it was a little difficult believing that she was the one to solve the crime.
However, the characters that surround her are interesting. The setting, Las Vegas, and the poker games were fascinating. While the main character was a little flat, everything else managed to liven her up. I was surprised to find that I was actually wanting more when I finished this book, because I can't stand poker.
However, the characters that surround her are interesting. The setting, Las Vegas, and the poker games were fascinating. While the main character was a little flat, everything else managed to liven her up. I was surprised to find that I was actually wanting more when I finished this book, because I can't stand poker.
Helpful Score: 1
What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, especially murder.
She's swimming with card sharks and trying to save her twin brother's life.
Belinda Cooley turned 40, got dumped by her dream guy and quit her ad agency job ot go to Vegas with her brother to go undercover but then ends up on the top of the heap. It's enough ot make a girl think the world has turned upside down. Brother Ben says he's set his sights on winning the big kahuna of Texas Hold "Em tournaments. Sis agrees to go. She figures she may get lucky at love, even if Ben loses his shirt playing the Cincinnati Kid.
Instead of having the time of her life, she ends up deep in the hole because of Ben's obsession with beating Steely Stan, the most dangerous poker player in town - a man who's got his fingers in everything from the casinos on the strip to the local police force. After Ben is abducted, she knows she has to learn to play Hold "Em and take his place at the table. Because if Belinda can't play her way to the final round, Ben will be retired from tournament pokwer - permanently.
She's swimming with card sharks and trying to save her twin brother's life.
Belinda Cooley turned 40, got dumped by her dream guy and quit her ad agency job ot go to Vegas with her brother to go undercover but then ends up on the top of the heap. It's enough ot make a girl think the world has turned upside down. Brother Ben says he's set his sights on winning the big kahuna of Texas Hold "Em tournaments. Sis agrees to go. She figures she may get lucky at love, even if Ben loses his shirt playing the Cincinnati Kid.
Instead of having the time of her life, she ends up deep in the hole because of Ben's obsession with beating Steely Stan, the most dangerous poker player in town - a man who's got his fingers in everything from the casinos on the strip to the local police force. After Ben is abducted, she knows she has to learn to play Hold "Em and take his place at the table. Because if Belinda can't play her way to the final round, Ben will be retired from tournament pokwer - permanently.
Helpful Score: 1
I don't play Texas Hold 'Em and was unsure when a friend recommended this book if I would really enjoy it. I appreciated the forty-year-old heroine and the number of bad guys available in the plotline certainly kept me reading. Fast-paced but due to some of the subject matter, I am not quite sure all readers would consider this a true cozy. I'll certainly read more in this series as I am left with questions about a certain character's past, but these won't be keepers for me (they might be for you if you enjoy Texas Hold 'Em).
Helpful Score: 1
Well, since I like to play Texas Hold'em, & mystery books, I figured this was a good book to try out. The story line was ok. And yes at times not very believeable, but hey this is entertainment, not a biography. I did find myself getting a bit to caught up in what 'cards' the others in the story line were getting delt, and found it hard to concentrate on the story, and not the actual cards. I did like that there were cute little 'hints' at the end of the book, which I guess could be helpful to new players.
Not sure how this book could have a sequel, but If one is out htere I will read it and see how that one feels before writing out a negative review.
I liked the book, but it is deffinately NOT heavy reading. Which is a good thing :-)
Not sure how this book could have a sequel, but If one is out htere I will read it and see how that one feels before writing out a negative review.
I liked the book, but it is deffinately NOT heavy reading. Which is a good thing :-)
Enjoyed this first mystery with a protagenist who plays Texas Hold 'Em
After a particularly bad week, Belinda "Bee" Cooley is suckered into going to Vegas with her twin brother, Ben. Shortly after arriving, Ben goes out to tail Stan, a new poker superstar that seems quite shady that Ben would love to beat in an upcoming tournement. Then Ben goes missing and Bee is left to solve the mystery of what happened and how to get her brother back. Personally, I didn't fall in love with Bee because she comes off as a little ditzy and younger than she is. That definitely won't stop me from reading more about her though! The mystery was really dark and seedy and I enjoyed that part very much. Overall, a strong start to a new series that I look forward to reading. :)
When Belinda Cooley agrees to go with her twin brother, Ben, to Las Vegas for an amateur Texas Hold 'Em tournament, she never expects to gamble with her brother's life. But after Ben mysteriously disappears from his hotel room, Belinda must take his place at the table because her brother might be retired from tournament poker--permanently.
