Review: Pascal's Wager
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 1, 2012
What do you call a hardboiled egg that's slightly runny in the center? Mark Jacobs' protagonist, Pascal Silver, is that kind of hardboiled detective. It's his soft center that sets him apart from the stereotypical hardboiled gumshoe and makes me like him even more. An ex-PhD-candidate in philosophy (should I stretch the analogy and call him an egghead?), the professional poker player and part time private investigator is living in Las Vegas while he searches for the meaning of existence. He's  going to crack wise in hopes of defusing a tense situation before turning to fists and guns and he's not afraid to show a sensitive side with a woman. His poker playing skills translate well to his investigative work, both in his ability to read people's actions to determine the veracity of their claims and a strange but effective habit of applying poker strategy away from the poker table.The secondary characters seemed as if they were composites or loosely based on real life Vegas denizens. For example, anyone with passing familiarity with Las Vegas history who doesn't see Benny Binion (former owner of the Horseshoe Casino) as the basis of the "Houston Phil" LaPierre character isn't paying attention.Fans of the hardboiled detective form should find Pascal's Wager a satisfying read, even if they don't know the difference between a semi-bluff and a semicolon. For poker players or people who recognize the origins of the book's title, you should consider it a can't miss. I'm hoping Jacobs has more Pascal Silver books slated for the future.**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **