Jackpot Bay

"Johnnie the Dime Koscko: Don't be fooled, he's not really a gangster. But he'd like to be one. He left the Mississippi coast thirty years ago in search of the big leagues in Las Vegas. But the closest he ever got was as a sometime flunky for the Mafia wanna-bes in the Rat Pack. Now he's back in Mississippi, and he has a vision for his old hometown: He's going to turn his Jackpot Bay casino into the classiest, swankiest attraction this side of the Rockies - if only he can expand his business beyond blue-haired locals and low-rollers in polyester suits." "He's off to a good start. His suave hotel manager has booked the spectacularly popular Snow Mountain Band to play a gig. That's drawing some big-ticket gamblers from Europe. If they come and like the place, that puts Johnnie the Dime one step closer to realizing his dream." "Snow Mountain hasn't made itself too popular with some religious folks, and it's not patching things up that the concert's on a Sunday. Enter the Narrow Path Independent Bible Church of Charismatic Believers. They have a bullhorn and they're not afraid to use it." "There's another problem: Tara Conrad, a no-nonsense, sexually liberated security auditor, sent by the insurance company to figure out why Jackpot Bay's been losing as much money as it has. She's not afraid to assert herself either, and that doesn't sit right with Johnnie." "And then there's the small matter of a bloody shoot-out that erupts on the gaming floor after Johnnie's oafish, violent nephew, Clyde, pushes an already disgruntled former employee over the edge." Maybe the Jackpot Bay's future isn't such a sure thing after all. In fact, things might start getting pretty bloody pretty soon. And that's why Jack Delmas is there. Delmas, the hero of Martin Hegwood's critically acclaimed mystery novels, has just accepted another routine assignment from his employer: Introduce Johnnie and Tara and make sure they play nice.


Genre: Mystery