Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Review: Fatal Gamble by J.P. O'Donnell

Fatal Gamble: A Novel Fatal Gamble: A Novel by JP O'Donnell




My rating:  5.0/5.0



My Review:

I received this book, Fatal Gamble along with the second Gallagher book, Deadly Codes from the author J.P. O'Donnell. The author himself is very pleasant to deal with so I was looking forward to reading his book. This is my second suspense novel in the week and while I use to read suspense/mystery all the time, my time is now divided because of various review books.

Fatal Gamble will not disappoint those who like PI novels or just general suspense. The suspense is tightly woven and peeling away the layers while reading is very enjoyable. Daniel Gallagher is a very likeable PI. He strives to do the best at his job and in his life. He's divorced and does not like that but realizes it was for the best. He left a prominent police force job to be a PI because of his personality and not doing well taking orders (hey I can understand that). But despite all of that he is not a seriously flawed PI. As I stated last week in my review of The Cutting - I really enjoy the slightly flawed police/PI characters instead of the seriously flawed ones and Daniel Gallagher fits this bill.

In Fatal Gamble, the first book in the Daniel Gallagher series, someone is murdering doctors who were involved in a real estate deal 20 years earlier. Gallagher is hired by one of the deceased doctor's wives to get to the bottom of the financial side of the partnership so she won't be blindsided if there were shady dealings. Gallagher takes the case and is quickly sucked into it, following leads across the country. There is also a nice romance subplot involving Gallagher and his current serious girlfriend Kate, who I also really liked.

Lots of suspense, intrigue, detective work and some romance make up this well-rounded book. I was hanging on until the end wanting to know the who, what and why of this sinister plot. I am also looking forward to picking up the second book in the series, Deadly Codes and hope more follow that one.

Thank you J.P. O'Donnell for sending me your books. You have a new loyal reader.

About the Book:
Twenty years ago, a group of doctors formed a partnership to build a medical office plaza in Massachusetts. While it wasn't the most above-board deal ever made, the doctors have found continued profit and success—until now.

Someone wants the doctors dead, and he or she has already succeeded in murdering two of them. The identity of the killer remains unknown. Is it a madman with a vendetta against the medical profession, a small-time bookie seeking revenge for a shady real estate deal, or a disgruntled former construction manager who was unjustly fired?

The widow of one of the slain doctors has a clue—but she's too afraid to tell the police. She hires Boston private investigator Daniel Gallagher to help track down the murderer. But as Gallagher begins to unravel the mystery, he finds himself entangled in a web of danger and political intrigue.

With the stakes growing higher, Gallagher faces a growing threat to keep him quiet before he reveals the damaging truth. But when push comes to shove, has Gallagher made a Fatal Gamble?
Challenges:

100+ Book Challenge
Fall Into Reading Challenge 2009
Countdown Challenge 2010 

CymLowell




My Disclaimer:
Though this book was sent to me by the author - that does not guarantee a positive review - my reviews are my feelings on the book and I will be honest about how I like the book. I am not paid for the reviews besides receiving the book.


Teaser Tuesday - November 24

teasertuesdays31

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

  • Grab your current read
  • Open to a random page
  • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
  • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
  • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
Gallagher never wanted to be drawn into relationships that affect his judgement and put him in jeopardy.  But this woman was different -- something about her evoked feelings of loyalty and made him want to help her, to exhaust all of the possibilites and push himself beyond the limit.
From Fatal Gamble by J.P. O'Donnell


Book Tour Promo: Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII

Hey everyone - I just wanted to let you know that on November 30th, Lois Herr, author of “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” will be stopping by to share a profile of one of the athletes that wrote to her father, Elizabethtown college coach Ira Herr, during WWII.

A collection of not only letters but historical facts, pictures and vivid commentary, “Dear Coach” features letters from WWII that were sent to Lois’s father, the famous Elizabethtown College coach Ira Herr, by various students, friends and family members who once played for the coach. The book gives an inside look at not only the impact of war to a small college community, but that of multiple heartfelt player and coach relationships.



To order your own copy, visit the author’s website: http://loisherr.com.

To learn more about the author and book please feel free stop by her official “Dear Coach: Letters Home from WWII” virtual tour blog and read up on reviews, tour stops and so much more.


Make sure you come back on the 30th to see the profile posted here on my blog and check out the other tours for more information.  This looks like a wonderful book.