- Paperback: 234 pages
- Publisher: Imajin Books (October 20, 2012)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1926997948
- ISBN-13: 978-1926997940
- Source: I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
- Rating: 4.5/5
The Blurb:
What happens when the deck is stacked against you…
From NFL rising-star prospect to wanted fugitive, Calvin Watters is a sadistic African-American Las Vegas debt-collector framed by a murderer who, like the Vegas Police, finds him to be the perfect fall-guy.
…and the cards don't fall your way?
When the brutal slaying of a prominent casino owner is followed by the murder of a well-known bookie, Detective Dale Dayton is thrown into the middle of a highly political case and leads the largest homicide investigation in Vegas in the last twelve years.
What if you're dealt a Dead Man's Hand?
Against his superiors and better judgment, Dayton is willing to give Calvin one last chance. To redeem himself, Calvin must prove his innocence by finding the real killer, while avoiding the LVMPD, as well as protect the woman he loves from a professional assassin hired to silence them.
The Review:
This is the kind of book that sucks you in and then you're stuck inside its world. Luke has created a world that is full of unexpected turns. He does a great job of crafting this world and the amazing mix of people in it.
I'm a sucker for characters and Luke doesn't disappoint on that front. I fell in love with Cal. There is something about the big and scary collector that touches my heart and makes me root for him. I want his life to turn into the fairytale that he deserves. It sucks when you make one bad choice that changes the entire path you were on. And for athletes it's even worse because one false move will destroy your career and break your will.
I totally loved the detective too. Maybe if the world was full of guys that were that dedicated to their jobs, we'd have a lot less unsolved cases.
Luke does an amazing job with plot development, character arcs, and sticking with the overall feel of the story. You never wonder if this story is EVER going to end (you know you've read some like that), and you generally want to know what happens, there isn't anything left hanging in the air. I truly enjoyed this book.
I recommend it for those that like suspense books, but also like action. If you like cop books, or books where the hero is the underdog... It's a great book!
I'm a sucker for characters and Luke doesn't disappoint on that front. I fell in love with Cal. There is something about the big and scary collector that touches my heart and makes me root for him. I want his life to turn into the fairytale that he deserves. It sucks when you make one bad choice that changes the entire path you were on. And for athletes it's even worse because one false move will destroy your career and break your will.
I totally loved the detective too. Maybe if the world was full of guys that were that dedicated to their jobs, we'd have a lot less unsolved cases.
Luke does an amazing job with plot development, character arcs, and sticking with the overall feel of the story. You never wonder if this story is EVER going to end (you know you've read some like that), and you generally want to know what happens, there isn't anything left hanging in the air. I truly enjoyed this book.
I recommend it for those that like suspense books, but also like action. If you like cop books, or books where the hero is the underdog... It's a great book!
About the Author:
Luke Murphy was born in Shawville, a small rural community in Western Quebec.
He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006.
His road to novelist began in the winter of 2000, after sustaining a season ending eye injury. He continued to hobby write through the years, honing his craft, making time between work and family obligations.
He constantly read, from novels in his favorite genres to books written by experts in the writing field. He made friends (published and unpublished authors), learning what it took to become successful.
Feeling that he was finally prepared, in the winter of 2007, Murphy started to write Dead Man’s Hand. It took him two years to complete the first draft of his novel.
He hired Ms. Jennifer Lyons, of the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, and in 2012, signed his first publishing contract with Imajin Books.
Murphy lives in Shawville with his wife, two daughters and a pug. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude).
For more information on Luke’s books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com and join his Facebook page and Twitter account.
Luke Murphy was born in Shawville, a small rural community in Western Quebec.
He played six years of professional hockey before retiring in 2006.
His road to novelist began in the winter of 2000, after sustaining a season ending eye injury. He continued to hobby write through the years, honing his craft, making time between work and family obligations.
He constantly read, from novels in his favorite genres to books written by experts in the writing field. He made friends (published and unpublished authors), learning what it took to become successful.
Feeling that he was finally prepared, in the winter of 2007, Murphy started to write Dead Man’s Hand. It took him two years to complete the first draft of his novel.
He hired Ms. Jennifer Lyons, of the Jennifer Lyons Literary Agency, and in 2012, signed his first publishing contract with Imajin Books.
Murphy lives in Shawville with his wife, two daughters and a pug. He is a teacher who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, and a Bachelor of Education (Magna Cum Laude).
For more information on Luke’s books, visit: www.authorlukemurphy.com and join his Facebook page and Twitter account.
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