Cheat the Devil

Rating:
Summary: This Small Press Mystery is a Hidden Gem !
Review: Cat Fortunati Austen is tracking the beginnings of a TV episode based on her "Death of a DJ" adventure while a serial killer is tracking women from her brother Dominic's blue-collar Atlantic City Parish. It is a real treat to watch author Rubino spin out this suspenseful tale as she weaves these plots together in this intriguing, off-beat, and ultimately heart-rending tale. Rubino has a knack for satire and for wringing out both tears of laughter and sadness, a real feel for characters and a writer of some very, very funny dialogue. There are a lot of books by bigger houses that don't have a fraction of this book's suspense or storytelling skill. I hope the fourth book is in the works.

Rating:
Summary: We Need More Cat and Victor
Review: I just finished Cheat the Devil and have started Plot Twist, which I plan to read much slower as it is, so far, the last in the series. I rate Jane Rubino right up there with Jan Burke, Earlene Fowler, Carolyn Haines and Marcia Muller. Although the romance between Cat and Victor exists, the stories don't need to revolve around it as you become so caught up in all the characters (I want Cat's family) and the solid story lines. One of the many things I loved about Cheat the Devil is that you are coming upon the end of the book and you THINK the murders are solved and it's a wrap, but then . . . surprise! Death of a DJ and Fruitcake are also highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Rubino Fan Club line forming to the right.....
Review: Just finished my two-week-long Rubino-Read-A-Thon, and I can't stand the thought that I must wait until June for the 4th installment! Once again, the characters are all completely and totally believable, the Cat/Victor relationship is teasing us along, and the mystery is the best I've read in a long time. No way you'll be disappointed. In fact, I read the library's copy, and then went out and bought the hardcover to keep for myself. It's that good.