Gambling with murder

Gambling with murder

Never underestimate the power of determination and the cunning the cleverness of seniors. Never judge intelligence and capabilities by age. Wait until you meet the seniors known as the RAT Pack living at a post-retirement community called Villa Sunset. Corrie Locke is a rookie lawyer who worked for a movie studio not remaining open so when she gets a call to do undercover work at the retirement community she jumps at the chance to find the missing resident. How can she and a former security guard turned legal assistant Veere and wanna be PI gain access to the community? They enlist a feisty, smart, and clever mother, namely Corrie’s, and the fun begins as she takes on the identity of Lucy Fay Nightingale a resident who was told her reservation was delayed a week but in the end, you won’t believe the rest. 

Entering the villa sunset with her mother in costume and ready to infiltrate the seniors and try and learn more about Dominic the missing resident, they meet their connection. Holly called Corrie, then Lettie the director, Kyle’s security guard, and then the unique group of seniors. Pepper spray, guts, tenacity, and the ability to make friends watch how she works the men and befriends some of the women. Lil, Sofi, Victor, Peter, the missing Dominic, and William are an unusual group with secrets. 

As her mother takes on the role of Lucy Fay, using her instinct and skills Corrie manages to convince Holly to get her into the apartment of the missing resident only to find some unusual and odd items in his refrigerator, one that might have caused him to become ill but what else she uncovers sends her partner and on in many directions as they uncover something about the missing man, see him in action and realize he has a gambling problem, owes back rent on his apartment, and money owed and you won’t believe the rest. 

Learning more about Dominic they piece together about his transportation and how mom uses the ID and credit cards of the real Lucy. Going into his apartment reveals the web of deception and the true theme of this novel focusing on a high-stakes gambling operation. How will she proceed and what about Kyle the guard? Did someone threaten him and what she finds begins the understanding of how he might have used three things to win and cheat at poker, why he disappears and how. 

Lil and Vincent, are two interesting seniors, and getting to know them reveals information that uncovers more about the poker game and how you become a member but first the oral test, questions, and more. The Golden Lotus Wing is where her mother would stay and their base of operation. But, why was Kyle following them and who was hiding in plain sight? 

Plus why was Dominic meeting with Ricky wait until you witness what he does? Cards marked, contact lenses and heavier dice what and how does this factor in card counting and cheating? The RAT pack is anything but ordinary seniors and you better mark my words beware of them, keep your eyes opened all the time and play poker at your own risk and make sure you are funded. There was a bank robbery, a car bombing was it her mother’s car? What is the significance of watching, safe, and water? A photo the RAT Pack had and of what or who and why?

Sofi is up to something and Corrie had her suspicions about who and what she is. Confrontations happen and Lettie has her own about why Corrie and Veera are there. But the best is yet to come when her mother cleans them all out in a poker game. Where did she learn how and her secret weapon cannot be revealed. 

Tensions rise and suspicions come about as a hidden person named Sid is behind what happens when someone cannot give him his cut from the poker game, owes back money and rent and is forced to do criminal activity. Peter, William, Lil, Sofi, Victor, Dominic, who’s guilty who’s Sid?

The cops are not interested in illegal gambling seniors but who poisoned Dom, who is the cab driver and who ran Holly off with a cart?

When Michael, Corrie’s boyfriend comes on the scene it gets exciting, more chances are taken and the solution you won’t believe. A bag filled with money, another shot at poker for mom, and then she becomes a target for a dangerous killer. What is Peter’s role? How are the pieces going to unfold and who is behind the robbery in the bank, car bombing, Rolex, diversion safe, debts that needed to be paid and jewelry is stolen, and more? What about the real Lucy Fay how will she react to the events. When the identity of Sid is known, the case is solved you won’t believe who and how many are guilty. An ending that lets us know that Corrie, Veera, maybe Mom, and Michael have created their own Agency and the last page lets us know they are on the job at once. Who can be trusted and would you like to play for a pile of money? Would you chance Gambling for Murder? Author Lida Sideris takes us inside the minds of some devious seniors and a retirement community you might want to join but beware of the poker players.

Fran Lewis just reviews