Book Review: Gambling with Murder by Lida Sideris

Southern California Mysteries 5

A late-night call is all it takes for rookie lawyer Corrie Locke to kiss her day job at the movie studio goodbye, and do what she does best: flex her sweet P.I. skills and go undercover to find a senior who’s missing from a posh retirement community. One small stumbling block: skirting past security to gain inside access to the exclusive Villa Sunset. Time to call in the heavy artillery. Besides former security guard turned legal assistant—now wannabe P.I.—Veera, Corrie relies on a secret weapon: her mother, a surprisingly eager addition to Corrie’s team. Armed with enough pepper spray to take down a band of Navy Seals, Mom impersonates a senior to infiltrate the Villa, Corrie and Veera in tow. Turns out the job’s not as easy as they’d thought. These seniors have tricks tucked up their sleeves and aren’t afraid of using them.

The action gets dicey when the missing senior case turns into attempted murder by a criminal mind who’s always one step ahead. Corrie’s hot on the trail, but finds more than she bargained for…when her mother becomes a target.

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My Review:

This is the first I’ve read from this author. And, to be honest, I’m a little shocked that I hadn’t discovered this series much earlier because this was everything I look for in good fiction. With that being said, I can confidently say that this book stands well on its own. Though, there are a few references that I think relate to events that were revealed in previous books that make my one-click finger itchy to go back and find out what I’ve missed. This world is populated by unique, vibrant characters that left me wildly entertained by their antics. And they’re chasing down a twisty little mystery that kept me guessing for the whole book. Now that I’ve started to get to know Corrie Locke and her family and friends, I can’t wait to read more about her.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author.

Other books in the series

Murder and Other Unnatural Disasters (Southern California Mysteries #1)

Murder Gone Missing (Southern California Mysteries #2)

Murder: Double or Nothing (Southern California Mysteries #3)

Slightly Murderous Intent (Southern California Mystery, #4)