Charlie Howard is a mystery writer who also happens to be a
part-time -- but very good -- thief. He's hoping to make some
money in a more honest way when he visits Las Vegas with
his agent and friend, Victoria Newbury, but when he sees
Victoria succumb to the sleazy charms of professional
magician Josh Masters, Charlie's larcenous impulses take
over. He steals Masters' wallet and breaks into his
luxurious hotel room, mostly just for spite. When he
discovers the body of a woman in the posh bathroom, Charlie
knows that despite his caution, he's probably going to be
on the hotel's security footage and will be a prime
suspect. He returns to Victoria, planning to make a quick
getaway, only to find that he is already under suspicion --
not of murder, but of cheating the casino with Josh
Masters. When Josh performs a disappearing act, Charlie and
Victoria find themselves in some very hot water with some
very dangerous people.
The plot may sound serious, but this is actually often a
very funny story, mostly due to Charlie's narration.
Readers will be laughing one minute and holding their
breath the next as Charlie gets in and out of some tight
spots -- literally and figuratively. Victoria provides a
terrific straight woman and reluctant accomplice, and the
colorful cast of characters fits in perfectly with the over-
the-top background of Las Vegas. If you like your mysteries
with a healthy dose of humor, you'll enjoy this
quirky "travel guide."
Charlie Howard isn't only a part-time crime writer and
part-time thief; he's also a magician. For his next
trick, he'll relieve Josh Masters, the famous illusionist
vying for the affections of Charlie's friend Victoria, of
$60,000 in casino chips stashed in his hotel safe.
Revenge would be sweet-if there weren't a dead redhead
floating in Masters' bathtub and if Masters hadn't just
disappeared in a puff of smoke after cheating at
roulette. Convinced that Charlie was in on the scam, the
casino's owners give him an impossible mission: either
pull off an elaborate heist to reimburse the house for
every dollar his "accomplice: made off with, or enjoy a
one-way trip into the desert.
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