Review: Updated Version of First Novel in Tony Valentine Series
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 10, 2012
Although Mr. Swain has added some content in the form of 2 previously published stories about scams/cheats/grifters, this novel is the same one that started the Tony Valentine series.Grift Senseis the original paperback novel and thisGrift Sense (Tony Valentine Series)is the updated Kindle version.Having that potentially confusing info dealt with, let me admit that I am a FAN of Tony Valentine and Jim Swain's novels about him. Tony is a 62-year old, former Atlantic City cop with "grift" sense--like a sixth sense about grifters, aka, hustlers and cons who try to cheat at gambling. He has a consulting business in Florida by the same name, Grift Sense, in which he will find out who's cheating your gambling establishment and how. He is well known & respected in the casino and gambling establishment industry and the owner of the Acropolis Resort & Casino in Vegas calls Tony for help when Frank Fontaine cleans up at the Black Jack table. Tony comes to casino owner Nick's rescue, determines who the grifter is and that the blonde dealer, Nola, is involved. Widowed Tony hates Vegas and things go crazy almost as soon as he arrives at the second-rate casino. He's impressed by the grift (which is a new one) and finds the grifter familiar--deja veau of a dead man.Fast paced with more turns than a Nascar race, the story and characters grabs the reader in the first few pages and fascinates you until the suprize ending. Lots of insider info into the casino and casino security life from one who KNOWS (Swain is/was a gambling expert and professional magician!). Swain has taken his specialized knowledge and woven it into the fabric of this book (& series), interweaving it with enough action and dry humor to keep the reader entertained and wanting more. The first of the Tony Valentine series will make you an addict, make you actually care about the characters--is the blonde dealer complicit? Is the grifter a dead man? Will Nick's sex life be the end of the Acropolis or at least, his marriage? Will Tony actually be able to talk to his ne'er do well son outside of email (because he's soo irritating)? Most importantly, will Tony be able to figure out the grift, finger the gifters and survive Vegas intact? READ to find out the answers to all these questions and more!