The Poker Game Mystery

Poker is a game for the dead lucky...

Crime reporter Colin Crampton discovers nightclub bouncer Steve Telford murdered. Colin can't understand why five cards of a poker hand are laid out next to the body.

As Colin investigates, he becomes entangled with three former special forces soldiers from the Second World War. All have motives to kill Telford. But Colin's probe is derailed when a shock change at the Evening Chronicle puts the paper's - and Colin's - future in peril.

The tension ratchets higher when the life of a young girl is on the line. Colin is forced to go head-to-head in a poker game with sinister newspaper owner Quentin Pell to save her.

There are laughs alongside the action as Colin and his feisty girlfriend Shirley shuffle the cards and play the most dangerous game of all - with their own lives at stake.

See what reviewers say about Crampton of the Chronicle:

"A fun read with humour throughout... " Crime Thriller Hound

"An excellent novel, full of twists and turns, plenty of action scenes, crackling dialogue - and a great sense of fun." Fully Booked 2016

"A good page-turning murder mystery, with a likeable protagonist and great setting." The Bookworm Chronicles

"An amiable romp through the shady back streets of 1960s Brighton." Simon Brett, Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger winner

"A highly entertaining, involving mystery, narrated in a charming voice, with winning characters. Highly recommended." - In Search of the Classic Mystery Novel

"A romp of a read! Very funny and very British." The Book Trail

"Superbly crafted and breezy as a stroll along the pier, this Brighton-based murder mystery is a delight." Peter Lovesey, Crime Writers' Association Diamond Dagger winner

"By the end of page one, I knew I liked Colin Crampton and author Peter Bartram's breezy writing style." Over My Dead Body

"One night I stayed up until nearly 2am thinking 'I'll just read one more chapter'. This is a huge recommendation from me." Life of a Nerdish Mum


Genre: Mystery