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Summary: Just when you were starting to get bored of the normal......
Review: James Swaim takes you into the netherworld of gambling, a world devoid of the normal types of characters we see in typical suspense novels. Behind the mirrors and cameras of big time Vegas style gambling is a place that most of us have very little experience with and hence is very fascinating. The players are equally unique. Prime among them is Tony Valentine, the ex-cop private eye with unusual skills who has quickly become one of my favorite characters. I hope to see more of him - and Mr. Swaim's work - in the future.
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Summary: More Tony Valentine
Review: Jim Swain has written a very exciting, eye-opening novel with a lead character I hope to see often. Tony Valentine is a great guide to the working side of Casinos and gambling. He's also an exciting detective character that keeps the novel moving. Valentine has the requisite sense of humor that also moves things along.Grift Sense is a fast-paced, mystery/detective novel that is well worth reading. I'm sure that there's more magic to come in Swain's next Tony Valentine installment! And I hope it's soon.
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Summary: A Complete Waste Of Time
Review: Las Vegas gambling and the grifters that attempt to cheat the casinos. A book of repugnant characters doing ridiculous things. The plot is confused and uninteresting. If this is the best author Swain can do, he ought to find other employment (and so should the editor and publisher who put out this tripe).
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Summary: Another winner
Review: Like Swain's Funny Money, this book was hard to put down. Great characters, loads of fascinating information, and a plot that kept me guessing to the very last page.
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Summary: Entertaining - worth your time
Review: Maybe there are inaccuracies as some reviewers say, but I wouldn't know. I know little about gambling or Las Vegas (been there once), but I got into the story and felt I was being educated and entertained. Emphasis on entertained. Comparisons to Elmore Leonard are premature. When more Swain books come out (let's hope they will), we will see if he can give us such versatility and output to earn that accolade. Don't hesitate to read this book. You will be rewarded.
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Summary: will make a better movie than book
Review: Reading this book, you can see that its treatment was fantastic. Ex-cop goes after super-con in Vegas, with twists and turns and a chance to peek under the curtain of the workings of the casino trade. The problem comes with connecting the points on the outline. The characters are dumb. They make stupid comments, actions and mistakes, and then get complimented for making smart comments actions and decisions. This book will make a better movie than a read. I'll recommend the movie, not the book.
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Summary: Interesting but not quite there
Review: Retired cop Tony Valentine is called to Las Vegas to investigate an apparent cheat at the blackjack tables. He may be sixty-something but he's still a tough guy an can prove it with his judo. He also has a database of every cheat he ever ran into in his years in Atlantic City--a database that seems to indicate that this cheater can only be a dead man. There is a lot to like about this debut novel by James Swain. First, the Las Vegas security and gambling had a ring of truth to them. The catwalks and constant video coverage felt real. Second, although Swain occasionally worked too hard to make Valentine a tough guy (I know Elmore Leonard must work hard to make his characters seem tough but when you read Leonard, it feels natural), most of the time Valentine is a sympathetic and likable character. Having recently lost his wife and on the outs with his son, you want Valentine to win. Now onto what is wrong. First, Valentine is the only multidimensional character. Second, Swain cheats when in point of view, having characters 'think' things that they would never think. This may seem to help with the mystery but it doesn't. (I don't want to say more on this as it may give away too much of the plot). Bottom line, I enjoyed this novel and wish Swain well on his next.
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Summary: Grift Sense Delivers
Review: Retired detective Tony Valentine takes us behind the glitz and glitter of Nevada casinos to find the grifter who took the Acropolis blackjack tables for a bundle...Only problem is:he's been dead for years! Valentine's investigation involves the usual, and not-so- usual, suspects; crooked cops and hired killers. We meet whales and minnows, plungers and pensioners, super- stars and wannabes. Mr. Swain took me for an enjoyable ride, and then he floored it for a keep-your-eyes-on the-road-and-your-hands-on-the-wheel finish. I enjoyed this book.
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Summary: Can't wait for the next one!
Review: Since my favorite authors don't write fast enough for my consumption, I occasionally have to try new ones -- a very difficult decision when books are over [money]! I'm really glad I happened upon this book ... it's interesting, well-written, and has great characters. The only drawback is that since this is the author's first book, I can't go back and read his whole catalog. The inside info on casino hustlers was fascinating -- that hooked me even before I got into the story. I hope we'll be seeing more from this author!
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Summary: Deal Me Another
Review: Swain's Tony Valentine is a quintessential retired "dick" that conjures up images of Paul Newman or Gene Hackman in my mind. Only classics such as they could portray this cool detective that alone sees through the maze of slight of hand and misdirection this story's grifters play out. I certainly was duped until the end. And Valentine's supporting cast of characters, from Nick the Casino owner to surveillance chief Sammy Mann, are vivid representations of what I would expect from Vegas' neon strip denizens. It was a fun and fast read that has me hopeful for another in what should be a series.
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