Showing posts with label Rat Pack. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rat Pack. Show all posts

Friday, May 13, 2022

Bewitched, Bothered and Dead

Bewitched, Bothered and Dead (Book 13 in the Rat Pack Mystery series) by Robert J. Randisi 281 pages

I was so excited when I learned a new Rat Pack Mystery was coming out. I ordered it, waited impatiently for it to arrive, devoured it, and LOVED it!

I’m gonna tell y’all upfront that if y’all haven’t read any of these mysteries and if you loved the Rat Pack, y’all will love these books as much as I do.

In this outing, it’s 1966. Things are starting to change in Sin City. Gazillionaire Howard Hughes is back in Vegas, looking to make some hefty purchases. Hughes was thwarted once before, but now he is on a mission. Of course, readers never see him; he is that elusive loner who has others do his bidding.

The Sands pit boss Eddie Gianelli, known as Eddie G. around town, was instrumental in stopping Hughes earlier and now Vegas is counting on him to stop him again. The Sands manager, Jack Entratter, assign Eddie G the job of convincing the other casinos not to sell. Hughes already has the Desert Inn in his pocket. When Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin hear of what’s happening, the fly to the Strip to help.

Eddie G. is grateful for the help, as he has another big problem. Danny Thomas has confided to him that the three people whom he had trusted to run St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis has stolen a hefty sum of money. One of them is in Vegas. Eddie G. knows he needs help so he brings his backup in from Brooklyn, Jerry, and his good friend Danny, a local PI.

These characters have stayed with me over the years, which is highly unusual. Reading these books is like visiting old friends; I look forward to visiting with them and tagging along on each  new adventure. Sit back, relax, have a drink, and tag along for the ride. And, as Frank would say, ring-a-ding ding.

The only problem with these books is that they are over to fast, and I have to wait a year or more for the next visit. “Bewitched, Bothered and Dead” received 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

 

Sunday, May 24, 2015

The Way You Die Tonight

 
The Way You Die Tonight (A Rat Pack Mystery) by Robert J. Randisi    196 pages

Number 9 in the series.

As always, I look forward to the publication of a new “Rat Pack” mystery. They are fun and easy-going
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In this episode, Edward G. Robinson needs to learn more about playing poker and try out his character for an upcoming movie, The Cincinnati Kid, with Steve McQueen. 

The Sands Casino owner, Jack Entratter, turns EGR over to Eddie Gianelli, pit boss, friend to the Rat Pack, and fixer of whatever needs to be fixed.  And here, Eddie needs to get EGR into some high stakes poker games, a feat not as easy as it might seem. And of course, this is also a personal favor to Rat Pack Chairman Frank Sinatra.

In the meantime, billionaire Howard Hughes is in Vegas and wants to see Eddie. This makes Eddie a little nervous. What could Hughes want from him?

As Eddie starts to juggle those two balls, Entratter’s secretary has disappeared, only to be found strung up in the Ladies Room down the hall. Eddie calls in his pals, private dick Danny and bruise Jerry from Brooklyn. And with the gang all there, bullets and fists start to fly, plus the guys’ investigations takes them to the seedier side of Vegas.


Another easy read mystery from Randisi. I read The Way You Die Tonight on a 7-hour road trip and loved every minute of it.  I give it five out of five stars.