Grift Sense - (Tony Valentine) by James Swain (Paperback)

About the Book

Tony Valentine's first caper takes him to Las Vegas, where a blackjack player at the Acropolis casino has an amazing winning streak. Called by the casino's owner to check the player out, Valentine's "grift sense" begins to kick in.

Book Synopsis

Amidst the neon and the big special ugly of Las Vegas, mild-mannered Frank Fontaine is beating the brains out of the Acropolis Casino. The house cops think the dealer, a blonde named Nola, is part of the con, but no one can prove a thing. For Tony Valentine, it's the first new scam he's seen in decades--and maybe the best. Three things Tony knows: The blonde is guilty, the grifter has lived a former life, and the biggest scam is the one that hasn't happened yet.

In a dream world of fake Greek statues, statuesque hostesses, and a casino owner whose sex life might just burn down his own house, Tony Valentine is plying his special trade. While some people have a sixth sense, Tony has a grift sense--and he needs it now to separate a grifter from a scam that's worse than anyone's wildest dreams. . . .

Review Quotes

"A WELL-PLOTTED DEBUT MYSTERY THAT PAYS OFF HANDSOMELY. . . . Grift Sense delivers a vivid and credible look at the gaming industry through eccentric yet believable characters."
--Chicago Tribune

"In Tony Valentine, Swain has created a classic detective who will have a long career as a series hero."
--The Flint Journal

"A TERRIFIC COMING-OUT ROLL . . . FEATURING LEAN PROSE . . . AND AN ACTION-FUELED PLOT."
--St. Petersburg Times

About the Author

James Swain, a gambling expert, is the author of Grift Sense, Funny Money, and Sucker Bet. Swain is considered one of the best card handlers in the world. He lives in Odessa, Florida, where he is currently working on his fourth mystery featuring Tony Valentine. Visit his Web site at www.jimswain.com.