Deadman's Poker: A Novel
by James Swain
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Book Reviews of Deadman's Poker: A Novel
Book Review: First of Two-Parter
Summary: 4 Stars
Another in the author's series of novels featuring Tony Valentine, who consults with casinos and law-enforcement about gambling scams and scammers.
In this tale, he and his son Gerry go to Las Vegas to discover how a blind poker player is scamming a poker tournament, which is being televised nationally by an ESPN-like cable sports network.
A few of the regular characters reappear, and there are two great new ones--a female reporter for the network, who Valentine develops a relationship with, and a 72-year-old grifter named Rufus, who among other "wagers" bets a mark that he can beat a horse and jockey in a 100-yard race.
There's a lot of tongue-in-cheek humor, with one chapter concluding with a plea to bring over a flamethrower. Wait for it.
Warning: at the end of the novel Valentine is halfway to the solution, but the sequel, "Deadman's Bluff," has been published. Some may object to this carving-up of a single tale, but really--the side stories are as interesting as the main plot, so I, for one, don't much mind.
Book Review: Here comes a another one
Summary: 3 Stars
I really like Swain. I really like Valentine. I even kinda like his kid. I'm not too sure about this novel. You see it's not finished. There's some strange, fatal method of winning at poker - maybe like what killed that Russian spy_ but after a lot of novel we do not yet know. Nor does Tony. I sure hope no one climbs up a rope and disappears in the follow up. You see, there is an old con man who makes and wins absurd bets with gamblers in Las Vegas. I suspect the chances of getting away with those bets would be about the same as not experiencing leg breaking ,cause they are on the order of "Betcha I can tell you where you got them shoes." So here we are anticipating a resolution to the surefire poker win and are only half the way there while being entertained with side shows. Maybe Swain needed some cash and had only half the novel done. After all, the carnie makes as much geeking as on the midway. I hope that's it cause now I am waiting for the follow up. Hooked I guess.Decide for yourself. Double or nothing. Watta bet!!!Book Review: Beware...#1 of a Two parter
Summary: 3 Stars
The problem with some author's today is that they decide (or their publishers encourage them) to write a 2 part-er. Then, they do not let you knw this on the cover (probably so if you read the paperback, you can then buy the hardcover). The problem with these books is that the 2nd part usually spends a lot of time covering the same ground as the first book, and (as reviewers already state for book #2 - Deadman's bluff - you do not even need to read this one to appreciate that work!).
Otherwise this would get 4 stars. Swain's writing is much better, and his plot points no longer carry the huge unbelievable stretches of imagination (like actual mind reading monkeys) that his earlier works do. One good aspect of Swain's books is that the author allows us to enjoy Vegas while at the same time not hiding his personal distain for the gambling mecca.
I recommend this, as long as you know it is #1 of 2 and though side plot points will be solved, the main case will not until you read "bluff."
Book Review: Deadmen tell no tales... or do they?
Summary: 5 Stars
For anyone who enjoys an exciting, fast paced mystery, "Deadman's Poker" is a must read. For anyone with an interest in poker or any competitive card game, Deadman's Poker is certainly a must read. The story hits the ground running right from page one and from there on I couldn't put the book down.
"Deadman's Poker" has it all; murder, mystery, intrigue, romance, full of life characters, and a background of pop culture in the form of the popular trend of poker tournaments. Jim Swain deftly leads the reader through gripping plot twists and turns which take you deeper and deeper into the intrigue and mystery of the con as Investigator Tony Valentine gets deeper and deeper into the web of deception and cheating going on at the world's largest poker tournament.
Do yourself a favor, when you pick up "Deadman's Bluff", get "Deadman's Poker". You are going to want to open "Bluff" as soon as you finish "Poker". These two novels are contemporary pop-mystery writing at its finest.
Book Review: Swain Doesn't Show All His Cards
Summary: 1 Stars
The first thing that gripes me is that this book turns out to be only part one of a two-part series, but Swain and his publisher keep that information from you. So, when you get to the end, you discover that nothing gets resolved and that you will have to read the next book. As a result, I -- who until now have been a solid Swain fan -- will not buy the sequel and may not buy any more of his books, if this is the way he is going to play. Furthermore, the book is simply stupid. Swain's dazzling writing ability has always kept the reader riveted even as he does daring swirls and loop-the-loops with the plots, which are usually outrageous. But here, the plot is so contrived, that even Swain's writing can't save it. That, and the sleight of hand that he and his publisher pulled, render this a one-star book, for me.