For ex-cop Tony Valentine, life in balmy Florida provides little R&R. In fact, he’s in demand now more than ever. Armed with a special grift sense, Valentine can spot card cheats and even bigger game whose sole purpose on earth is to relieve a casino of its cash. But when his son, who was going to card-counting school, goes missing, Valentine jets to Las Vegas. Once in town, he is pressed into service—and lands inside a treacherous game with higher stakes than he has ever encountered before. There’s a new casino in town, aptly named Sin, the largest on The Strip: three thousand guest rooms and a gambling floor as big as an airport terminal. The owners of Sin want Valentine to show them how the scams are done. But these powerful men harbor ulterior motives: They want to use their newfound skills to put a rival casino out of business. Sin’s competition is the Acropolis, run by Valentine’s longtime pal. Nick taps Tony to figure out how an amateur won $50,000 at his blackjack tables. But the small job is full of landmines. For starters, the suspect bears a strong resemblance to his late wife. What’s more, Valentine’s son is still M.I.A. Upping the ante, a dead stripper is found with Valentine’s calling card—and her grief-stricken boyfriend is vowing revenge. Yet in a city where barracudas wear pinstripes, time seems motionless even while it flies, and reality and illusion shift depending on the neon light, a greater threat maneuvers through the streets: an all-new breed of criminal with an agenda propelled by fury that will shake not just Valentine, but the city of Las Vegas.
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"loved it...this is another author i will be adding to my reading list."
— Margarette (5 out of 5 stars)
" Fun, easy read in which Tony Valentine has to save Nick Nicropolus again, after his long-time nemisis is paroled by the FBI. "
— Skip, 8/28/2013" The book jacket says that the author, John Swain, is a noted expert on casino cheating. Accordingly, the plot revolves around card counting in Las Vegas with descriptions of security techniques to thwart would- be cheats. An interesting and fast little read. "
— Diana, 1/1/2013" just about done with this series. still some interesting gambling insights. "
— Hrn1947, 9/29/2012" This is series featuring Tony Valentine, a consultant to the Gaming industry. He uncovers various scams by those wishing to make big scores against casinos. It's an easy, fun read. "
— james, 5/19/2012" well written a nice change of pace really enjoyed it "
— Nevin, 5/4/2012" Since I like casino gambling I think I'll like these mysteries with the recurring character of an ex-policeman who helps casinos identify cheaters. "
— CJ, 10/4/2011" Another case for Tony Valentine, set in Vegas. Lot's of interesting characters along the way. Not high brow fiction, but enjoyable. "
— Andrew, 10/29/2010" Please James Swain, hire a ghost writer. Or just sell your plot ideas to a better wordsmith. "
— Kyle, 5/23/2010" just about done with this series. still some interesting gambling insights. "
— Hrn1947, 2/3/2010" Fun, easy read in which Tony Valentine has to save Nick Nicropolus again, after his long-time nemisis is paroled by the FBI. "
— Skip, 4/19/2009" This is series featuring Tony Valentine, a consultant to the Gaming industry. He uncovers various scams by those wishing to make big scores against casinos. It's an easy, fun read. "
— james, 2/7/2009" Another case for Tony Valentine, set in Vegas. Lot's of interesting characters along the way. Not high brow fiction, but enjoyable. "
— Andrew, 1/13/2008James Swain is the nationally bestselling author of numerous thrillers, which have been translated into many languages and chosen as Mysteries of the Year by Publishers Weekly and Kirkus Reviews. He has received several Barry Award nominations, a Florida Book Award for fiction, and the prestigious Prix Calibre .38 Award for Best American Crime Writing. An avid magician, he has written and lectured extensively on the subject.
Tony Roberts is an AudioFile Earphones Award–winning narrator. He has had roles in numerous films, many by Woody Allen, as well as his starring roles on Broadway in Arsenic and Old Lace; Promises, Promises; and The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.