Deadman's Poker has ratings and 25 reviews. James said: I've been a huge fan of James Swain's Tony Valentine series from the time the first book in t.
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Tony Valentine is likeable. I chuckled out loud a few times d. No reason to split the story into 2 books. It made the stories way too long. I liked the rufus steel character but after a while, it did get a bit old. She just pissed me off everytime she opened her mouth. I noted tony said he was 60 in the first book, then said he was 63 in the 2nd book. It was too long but very interesting learning about the various cheating scams. Jul 28, Ranjanks rated it really liked it. This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here. Finally as good as the first book. Author is back to basics. More gambling and more scams. And able to fit violence correctly. Although I still don't like how a retired cop is beating up 7 foot tall bouncer. Overall violence is matching the story line. Does not look like shoehorned in.
Astonishing James Swain keeps you on your toes with every turn of the page. It's one of his best series to date. Mar 21, Jmrathbone rated it did not like it. Jan 28, Colby rated it it was ok. I'm a little confused by the structure of the book since you would imagine the series would draw no pun intended people with experience and interest in the actual game being featured.
It teased with that aspect but instead focused on guns, girls, and goons. Add in a deck of loose ends and this guilty pleasure read just wasn't a winner. Jun 04, Skip rated it liked it Shelves: Another Tony Valentine novel, with son Gerry getting into his usual trouble with boyhood friends from Atlantic City.
Most of the excitement revolves around a blind poker player cheating in a Texas hold'em tournament. Mar 30, Caro rated it liked it.
Tony Valentine Series
Very enjoyable read while spending a night in Las Vegas. Apparently it is one of two volumes, since the story ends, annoyingly, without an explanation of the big scam that's been teased since the first chapter. I like Tony Valentine enough to pursue part two. Feb 01, Tim rated it it was amazing Shelves: One of the best novels I have read in Aug 27, Juliet Howland rated it liked it.
An enjoyable read, but a bit unsatisfying because almost none of the mysteries are solved. Instead, the plot continues in Deadman's bluff.
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Aug 14, Barbara rated it really liked it. I learned lots about gambling frauds. Jul 01, james rated it liked it.
This series is always a snappy read and this book does not disappoint. Jan 24, Dave rated it liked it. About gambling but sort of soft on accuracy. Dec 03, Carolyn Rose added it. Not every book is for every reader and I put this one aside after about pages. I founding the gambling scam interesting, but couldn't seem to connect with the characters. Apr 07, Chris rated it really liked it. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to reading the sequel.
Aug 24, Killercalico rated it it was amazing. This one is a two parter and I can't wait to get part two. Tony Valentine does it again, cleaning up a poker tournament this time. Apr 09, Dave rated it liked it Shelves: Still a good series but the ending leaves you hanging which I assume will continue in the next book in the series. Nov 02, February Four rated it really liked it. Had I realized this was part of a series I'd like so much, I'd have tried harder to start from the beginning.
Jan 02, Richard White rated it it was ok Shelves: OK time waster but not nearly as good as some of the previous entries. Sep 24, Rho rated it it was ok Shelves: Did not enjoy this book. Read part two first and enjoyed it. This story dragged with most of the supporting characters not like able or interesting. Grift Sense is a fascinating read and an introduction to one of the unique and appealing protagonists you will ever encounter. Tony is torn between two worlds, one protecting his estranged son and second continuing with his job.
In the second installment of Tony Valentine series, we meet the sixty- two- year- old Tony Valentine, a retired police force living in Florida and running his consulting service, Grift Sense. He often does this sometimes from the comfort of his home in Florida; casino security personnel sends him a video recording of a suspected fraudster, he analyzes the video, spots the cheater and reports back via the phone. However this time round he receives a phone call from his longtime police partner by the name Doyle Flanagan.
Flanagan has gone out on his own and is investigating a blackjack punter who has hit the Atlantic City casino for approximately six million dollars.
Tony Valentine Series by James Swain
He is stuck in his investigation and hopes that he could use some help, but before Tony gets a chance to have a glimpse at the video, Flanagan is killed by a bomb planted by the people he was investigating. So this time round the case becomes personal and Tony flies up to Atlantic City and takes over the investigation. It is clear that some very bizarre things are going to happen to this casino and more so at the blackjack tables, but Tony is initially puzzled. He clear knows well that the big winner is playing with a partner and that they must have to be cheating, and neither of them is that lucky or good.
However with all his experience, Tony seems not to figure out how the cheaters are working their scam and not long he finds himself in the circle of the same people responsible for the death of his friend. From time to time he has had to bail out his son, Gerry but the stupid kid keeps on digging himself deeper into trouble. In the third installment, we again meet Tony Valentine, a retired cop who captures casino fraudsters and this time, the Micanopy Indian Reservation Casino in South Florida desperately require his services.
A blackjack dealer has manipulated a game, gave a player 84 wins in a row and then disappeared. Furthermore, the missing dealer is also a part of an even far deadlier and bigger scheme. His trail of investigation leads him to Rico Blanco where some violent gangster who once worked John Gotti, his partner in crime Victor Marks and a hooker named Candy Hart.
Apparently, it appears that they have a con game going on involving a wealthy Brit and his millions of dollars. Sucker Bet is the third installment and far much more interesting read than the first two books. In this book, Tony is maturing in significant ways which make him a more likable character. On opposite sides of a deadly game, father and son work their way through a colorful landscape of conmen and hitmen.
Featuring insider tips for catching poker cheats, as well as a glossary of card hustler terms! Tony Valentine is an expert at spotting cheats. Tony Valentine made his living and his name as a cop in Atlantic City—and is now known worldwide for his ability to spot the kinds of scams, grifts, and rip-offs that cost casinos billions every year. Ricky Smith was once a small-town loser.
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Then he went to Las Vegas, jumped out the window of a burning hotel, lived to tell the tale, and tore up the Strip on an incredible winning streak. Unfortunately for Tony, his cover is blown when he is forced to reveal a trick he has up his own sleeve: Now, the Ricky Smith case has lured Gerry through the gates of temptation and into a murderous confrontation with the Dixie Mafia.
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With Tony stuck on the slippery slope of Slippery Rock and Gerry fighting for his life, the Valentines are finding out just how bad good luck can get. Against a neon-tinted backdrop of adrenaline rushes, hard crashes, big money, and high-wire tension, the inimitable James Swain has set his best Tony Valentine novel yet: When Tony Valentine, a master at catching casino cheaters, jets to Las Vegas to look for his missing son, he lands in the middle of a dangerous turf war between rival casinos.
But the job is full of land mines. For starters, the suspect bears a strong resemblance to his late wife.