Deadly Gamble

by Connie Shelton

Book Overview

Praise for USA Today bestselling author, Connie Shelton, and her first novel: "An impressive debut mystery " -- Albuquerque Journal "Charlie is slick, appealing and nobody's fool--just what readers... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964316102
• ISBN13: 9780964316102
• Release Date: February 1995
• Publisher: Intrigue Press
• Length: 211 Pages
• Weight: 0.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.3" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Good, but...

Others have summed up the book, so I'll just add my thoughts. I enjoyed the book overall, but found that it lacked "rhythm". I can't explain it, but it just didn't come together smoothly. Passages describing everyday scenes seemed to be padded and those with action seemed rushed. Better editing would have been helpful, too. Catchy descriptors would used for two different things in the same scene. That was kind of jarring. Work needs to be done on metaphors, too. As Charlie enters a neighborhood bar, she describes the music's "vivaciousness" as making the ice in the drinks jiggle. Huh? I enjoyed the first one enough, though, that I've downloaded a sample of the second to my Kindle and will probably buy it.

Good debut novel

Charlie Parker, an accountant who dabbles in solving mysteries, is given an unusual assignment. Her ex-husband's new wife, Stacy, has asked her to locate her Rolex watch before her husband discovers that it was stolen by a man with whom she had an affair. Charlie succeeds in doing this, but meanwhile the man who stole the watch is killed. Then, Charlie really has to use her investigative skills because she feels that Stacy is being unjustly accused of the murder. This well-written book is the beginning of the Charlie Parker series, which is set in Albuquerque. It is recommended reading for mystery fans.

Great dog

Shelton is excellent on dog behavior and does a wonderful job of describing unpleasant men. I love her family and her brother's obnoxious children. The food description is good and the New Mexico urban atmosphere is thick and convincing. It starts off with a gripping premise that sucks you into turning the pages. The missing star is about plot. I came to this after starting with "Partnerships Can Kill." Charlie Parker is going to have to stop finding vital clues in desk drawers and coat pockets where nobody else thought of looking. I haven't got to "Vacations Can be Murder" yet. Is there another one out yet or on the way?

Very good read

For the first title in a series this one grabs your attention and holds it till book is read. Charlie Parker is an accountant in a Private Investigations business with her brother. In this mystery an old friend shows up in need of help. Charlie agrees to help Stacy North find her missing Rolex watch, but ends up wishing she hadn't because of her past history with this woman. Stacy and Charlie were best friends until Stacy ran off with Charlie's finance. In a few hours Charlie finds the watch and boy is she relieved thinking she is done with Stacy, but guess again the man who stole the watch is found dead three days later. Now Stacy needs Charlie's help even more. Charlie's brother handles the investigation part of their business and she handles the paper work. But with her brother out of town for two weeks Charlie felt that she could at least get things started for her brother. Gary Detwiller was the dead mans name -- a con man with a lot of enemies. Finding the murder will not be easy. Stacy is arrested for the murder and Charlie has to prove her innocence's, but finding the real murder will hard work because of all the enemies that Gary had. Look out for a surprise ending. This mystery was a very good read I can hardly wait to read the others in the series.

Very good, can't wait to read the next one.

Charlie Parker is the character in this story and is a female accountant. Her brother is the private eye, but out of town. Naturally Charlie can't turn down her ex-best friend who also stole her fiance away 10 years ago. She unexpectantly shows up begging for Charlie's help. Charlie really doesn't want to do this, but all those tears and her own curiosity about her former fiance, how can she resist? Maybe she did Charlie a favor, the beau wasn't all that great after all, now she has lost a valuable piece of jewelry to a "new boyfriend" who ends up dead. Who is the prime suspect? There are several suprises in this story. Written in the style of Sue Grafton, I enjoyed it thoroughly. Acutally to be a first book, I should have rated it a 9 or 10.