This is a fabulous reprint of a Lawrence Block title
originally published in 1964 from the good folks at Hard Case
Crime. I don't believe anything was altered to fit 2007. Esso
gas is mentioned. The prices all sound like 1964's. I like
that.
This paperback is a pure gem. The card sharp is Bill Maynard
who has breezed into town. After caught cheating and getting
his thumbs busted, Bill beat it out of Chicago. He meets a
vivacious Joyce Rogers who's married to a Murray Rogers, a
wealthy tax lawyer. Sparks fly. Bill and Joyce soon scheme to
rip off Murray and go off to live the good life.
The poker and card-playing references give the tale its
gritty realism. Bill with a conscience becomes a likeable
protagonist. Marvelous twists and great minor characters,
too.
My next card-playing mystery: THE PICASSO FLOP by Bob Randisi
and Vince Van Patton.
Ed
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