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The Murder Gambit
An unexplained death in a nursing home. A man falls from a balcony. A hit and run in the middle of a city street. An execution in a home. A woman collapses dead after a date.
Five murders. Five methods. Five police jurisdictions.
What's the connection?
Philadelphia-area detectives are under pressure to solve the murders, while dealing with their own issues.
Speeding like the lead car at Talladega towards a shocking conclusion, is The Murder Gambit a Shakespearean tragedy or a sinister reality?
Five murders. Five methods. Five police jurisdictions.
What's the connection?
Philadelphia-area detectives are under pressure to solve the murders, while dealing with their own issues.
Speeding like the lead car at Talladega towards a shocking conclusion, is The Murder Gambit a Shakespearean tragedy or a sinister reality?
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 4, 2023
6 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Frank Lazarus
25 books115 followersFrank Lazarus is a retired financial services executive turned mystery author. He has written nine books, including seven in his popular BROWN & MCNEIL MURDER MYSTERY SERIES. Drawing inspiration from thriller masters like Patterson, Silva, Grisham, and Siegel, Lazarus brings his Wall Street experience to crafting compelling crime fiction.
A native of West Philadelphia, he earned his degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph's University. When he's not plotting his next mystery, Frank enjoys time with his three adult children and five grandchildren. He currently lives on Hilton Head Island with his partner, Deb, where the coastal setting provides the perfect backdrop for writing his intricate mysteries.
A native of West Philadelphia, he earned his degree in Business Administration from St. Joseph's University. When he's not plotting his next mystery, Frank enjoys time with his three adult children and five grandchildren. He currently lives on Hilton Head Island with his partner, Deb, where the coastal setting provides the perfect backdrop for writing his intricate mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 30, 2023
Great debut novel! Mr. Lazarus creates top notch characters in this Philly based whodunnit. Can't wait to read more by him.
November 26, 2023
A death at a nursing home. A body that fell from the balcony. A hit-and-run. A man shot execution-style. Were all these random deaths connected?
This seemed interesting with all these deaths. At first, we get the different stories on each case. The pace and stamina were mild, but the read was quick and informative. That nagging curiosity to how these cases tie together just kept gnawing at me and kept me reading. All these deaths were odd and suspicious and it was fascinating to see what turned up in each investigation. It seemed they were all murdered. Were these random killings? Or were they somehow connected? The cases were a little hard to follow, especially with all the various names thrown in there. You often forget who was who and what was what. It’s only after you read a little bit in each chapter that you think, “Oh, yeah, it’s that particular dead person.” And, although the chapters were short and quick, there were just too many of them at 90 chapters total.
A faster pace and fewer deaths would’ve made this more focused and more exciting. The various deaths seemed interesting at first, but the long investigations became too daunting. I wish we could’ve gotten down to the real clues much sooner. But the read was generally pretty good and I liked the details in the cases. Good for those that liked to get really involved in multiple cases.
A fairly nice mystery.
This seemed interesting with all these deaths. At first, we get the different stories on each case. The pace and stamina were mild, but the read was quick and informative. That nagging curiosity to how these cases tie together just kept gnawing at me and kept me reading. All these deaths were odd and suspicious and it was fascinating to see what turned up in each investigation. It seemed they were all murdered. Were these random killings? Or were they somehow connected? The cases were a little hard to follow, especially with all the various names thrown in there. You often forget who was who and what was what. It’s only after you read a little bit in each chapter that you think, “Oh, yeah, it’s that particular dead person.” And, although the chapters were short and quick, there were just too many of them at 90 chapters total.
A faster pace and fewer deaths would’ve made this more focused and more exciting. The various deaths seemed interesting at first, but the long investigations became too daunting. I wish we could’ve gotten down to the real clues much sooner. But the read was generally pretty good and I liked the details in the cases. Good for those that liked to get really involved in multiple cases.
A fairly nice mystery.
September 18, 2025
The Murder Gambit surprised me. I picked it up expecting a standard whodunnit, but what I got was a layered, multi-jurisdictional puzzle that felt like Philly itself, raw, complex, and full of character. The five deaths are bizarre and disconnected at first, but the way Lazarus slowly threads them together kept me hooked.
I’ll be honest: with 90 chapters and a rotating cast of detectives, I had to pause a few times to remember who was who, but the short chapters made it easy to keep momentum, and once I got into the rhythm, I couldn’t stop flipping pages. The tension builds steadily, and the final reveal genuinely gave me chills.
What I appreciated most was how real the detectives felt, each one dealing with their own baggage while trying to make sense of the chaos. It wasn’t just about solving murders; it was about navigating pressure, politics, and personal demons.
If you’re into crime fiction that doesn’t spoon-feed you answers and makes you work for the payoff, this one’s worth your time. I’m already looking forward to book two.
I’ll be honest: with 90 chapters and a rotating cast of detectives, I had to pause a few times to remember who was who, but the short chapters made it easy to keep momentum, and once I got into the rhythm, I couldn’t stop flipping pages. The tension builds steadily, and the final reveal genuinely gave me chills.
What I appreciated most was how real the detectives felt, each one dealing with their own baggage while trying to make sense of the chaos. It wasn’t just about solving murders; it was about navigating pressure, politics, and personal demons.
If you’re into crime fiction that doesn’t spoon-feed you answers and makes you work for the payoff, this one’s worth your time. I’m already looking forward to book two.
April 24, 2026
The Murder Gambit by Frank Lazarus is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that keeps you guessing from start to finish. With five seemingly unrelated murders, each executed in a different way and across multiple jurisdictions, the story immediately pulls you into a complex web of mystery that refuses to let go.
Lazarus does an excellent job of building tension while weaving together multiple storylines. The detectives feel real and layered, each dealing with personal struggles that add depth without slowing down the plot. As the investigation unfolds, the connections between the crimes become increasingly intriguing, leading to a payoff that is both shocking and satisfying.
What really stands out is the pacing, it moves quickly without feeling rushed, and every chapter adds a new piece to the puzzle. The writing is sharp, cinematic, and full of suspense, making it hard to put down.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with clever twists and a strong sense of momentum, The Murder Gambit is a must-read. A thrilling ride that delivers on both mystery and intensity.
Lazarus does an excellent job of building tension while weaving together multiple storylines. The detectives feel real and layered, each dealing with personal struggles that add depth without slowing down the plot. As the investigation unfolds, the connections between the crimes become increasingly intriguing, leading to a payoff that is both shocking and satisfying.
What really stands out is the pacing, it moves quickly without feeling rushed, and every chapter adds a new piece to the puzzle. The writing is sharp, cinematic, and full of suspense, making it hard to put down.
If you enjoy crime thrillers with clever twists and a strong sense of momentum, The Murder Gambit is a must-read. A thrilling ride that delivers on both mystery and intensity.
September 21, 2025
Expected another paint-by-numbers detective story, but the psychological elements really caught my attention. Brown's approach to understanding the killer's mindset feels grounded in actual criminal psychology rather than TV drama nonsense. No sudden "aha!" moments based on gut feelings.
Watching the investigation slowly reveal the perpetrator's methodology was fascinating. You get glimpses of someone methodical enough to plan five different murders yet careless enough to leave patterns. The psychological cat-and-mouse dynamic builds real tension without resorting to cheap thrills.
My only complaint? The killer's motivation felt slightly underbaked when finally revealed. I wanted more insight into what drives someone to this level of planning and violence. Still, the journey getting there kept me guessing right until the end. Looking forward to seeing how Lazarus develops this psychological angle in future installments.
Watching the investigation slowly reveal the perpetrator's methodology was fascinating. You get glimpses of someone methodical enough to plan five different murders yet careless enough to leave patterns. The psychological cat-and-mouse dynamic builds real tension without resorting to cheap thrills.
My only complaint? The killer's motivation felt slightly underbaked when finally revealed. I wanted more insight into what drives someone to this level of planning and violence. Still, the journey getting there kept me guessing right until the end. Looking forward to seeing how Lazarus develops this psychological angle in future installments.
September 21, 2025
I'm super picky about dialogue in books, too often characters sound like they're reading from a script rather than actually talking to each other. Lazarus nails it completely. Every conversation feels natural, no weird exposition dumps disguised as casual chat.
Brown and McNeil have this wonderful shorthand that develops between longtime partners. Little inside jokes, half-finished sentences they both understand, the way they can communicate with just a look. My wife and I have been married thirty years and we do the same thing, finish each other's thoughts, reference shared experiences.
But it's the witness interviews that really shine. Each person sounds different, reacts uniquely to pressure, reveals information in ways that feel true to their personality. Even phone conversations sound real, interruptions, background noise, the natural rhythm of actual speech. Most mysteries have characters delivering perfect monologues. This feels like eavesdropping on real people.
Brown and McNeil have this wonderful shorthand that develops between longtime partners. Little inside jokes, half-finished sentences they both understand, the way they can communicate with just a look. My wife and I have been married thirty years and we do the same thing, finish each other's thoughts, reference shared experiences.
But it's the witness interviews that really shine. Each person sounds different, reacts uniquely to pressure, reveals information in ways that feel true to their personality. Even phone conversations sound real, interruptions, background noise, the natural rhythm of actual speech. Most mysteries have characters delivering perfect monologues. This feels like eavesdropping on real people.
September 20, 2025
I picked this up on a whim during a weekend trip to the bookstore, and wow, what a ride! The way Lazarus weaves together five completely different murders had me scratching my head for the longest time. When I thought I had it figured out, another twist would knock me off balance.
Detective Brown and McNeil make such a great team, their banter feels authentic, like these are real cops who've been working together for a long-time years. The Philadelphia setting really comes alive, too. I found myself Google mapping some of the locations mentioned because Lazarus describes them so vividly.
My only tiny complaint is that the nursing home scene felt a bit rushed, but honestly, once the connections started clicking into place, I couldn't put it down. Already ordered the next book in the series!
Detective Brown and McNeil make such a great team, their banter feels authentic, like these are real cops who've been working together for a long-time years. The Philadelphia setting really comes alive, too. I found myself Google mapping some of the locations mentioned because Lazarus describes them so vividly.
My only tiny complaint is that the nursing home scene felt a bit rushed, but honestly, once the connections started clicking into place, I couldn't put it down. Already ordered the next book in the series!
September 20, 2025
As a retired cop myself, I was curious how Lazarus would handle the investigative details. I'm happy to say he gets the paperwork, the jurisdictional headaches, and the bureaucratic nightmare of multi-department cases absolutely right. Too many authors gloss over the boring stuff that actually makes or breaks real cases.
The forensics aspects felt particularly authentic, no magic fingerprints appearing out of nowhere or DNA results coming back in an hour. Brown's methodical approach to evidence collection reminded me of my best partner from back in the day. Even got the courtroom prep details right.
Only thing that bugged me was McNeil's casual attitude toward the chain of custody in one scene, but maybe I'm being too picky. Overall, this is the most realistic police procedural I've read in years.
The forensics aspects felt particularly authentic, no magic fingerprints appearing out of nowhere or DNA results coming back in an hour. Brown's methodical approach to evidence collection reminded me of my best partner from back in the day. Even got the courtroom prep details right.
Only thing that bugged me was McNeil's casual attitude toward the chain of custody in one scene, but maybe I'm being too picky. Overall, this is the most realistic police procedural I've read in years.
September 21, 2025
I’m usually not one for murder mysteries; give me a good romance novel any day! However, my book club selected this one, and I’m so glad they did. What really drew me in wasn’t the detective work but the heart that Lazarus puts into the victims’ stories.
Each person who died felt very real to me, from the elderly man in the nursing home with his family photos to the young woman excited about her date. I even teared up a few times because it was clear that these were not just plot devices; they were people with hopes and dreams that were tragically cut short.
The writing style is also very accessible. There's no confusing police jargon or overly technical explanation, just good storytelling that made me care about people I had never met. I definitely plan to explore more mysteries after this!
Each person who died felt very real to me, from the elderly man in the nursing home with his family photos to the young woman excited about her date. I even teared up a few times because it was clear that these were not just plot devices; they were people with hopes and dreams that were tragically cut short.
The writing style is also very accessible. There's no confusing police jargon or overly technical explanation, just good storytelling that made me care about people I had never met. I definitely plan to explore more mysteries after this!
September 21, 2025
Sweet baby Jesus, this book wrecked me. I started reading around 9 PM thinking I’d knock out a few chapters. Next thing I know, it’s 3 AM and I’m bawling over fictional people. My boyfriend woke up asking if I was okay because I was sniffling so loud.
The family scenes? Brutal. When Brown had to knock on that door and tell those parents their kid wasn’t coming home… I lost it. My cousin was murdered three years ago, and Lazarus captures that raw, disbelieving grief too well. You see how families either pull together or fall apart under that kind of pain.
But it’s not just trauma for shock value. You feel how much these cases weigh on Brown and McNeil. They’re not just collecting evidence, they’re carrying it. That’s what makes this more than a murder mystery. It’s about grief, connection, and somehow finding a way to keep going. Tissues required. Seriously.
The family scenes? Brutal. When Brown had to knock on that door and tell those parents their kid wasn’t coming home… I lost it. My cousin was murdered three years ago, and Lazarus captures that raw, disbelieving grief too well. You see how families either pull together or fall apart under that kind of pain.
But it’s not just trauma for shock value. You feel how much these cases weigh on Brown and McNeil. They’re not just collecting evidence, they’re carrying it. That’s what makes this more than a murder mystery. It’s about grief, connection, and somehow finding a way to keep going. Tissues required. Seriously.
September 21, 2025
Really appreciated the pacing throughout this one. So many mysteries either drag in the middle or rush through the ending. Lazarus maintains steady momentum while giving each revelation room to breathe. Never felt lost or confused about which thread we were following.
The chapter structure works well too, short enough to keep things moving but substantial enough that you get meaningful development in each section. I'm one of those readers who has trouble putting books down once I start, and this one had perfect breaking points when I absolutely had to sleep.
What impressed me most was how the climax builds naturally from everything that came before. No convenient last-minute clues or sudden confessions, just methodical detective work paying off. Some minor copyediting issues here and there, but the storytelling craft is solid enough that I'm definitely continuing with the series.
The chapter structure works well too, short enough to keep things moving but substantial enough that you get meaningful development in each section. I'm one of those readers who has trouble putting books down once I start, and this one had perfect breaking points when I absolutely had to sleep.
What impressed me most was how the climax builds naturally from everything that came before. No convenient last-minute clues or sudden confessions, just methodical detective work paying off. Some minor copyediting issues here and there, but the storytelling craft is solid enough that I'm definitely continuing with the series.
September 18, 2025
Good read
Really nice read. The only problem I have with it is the author’s use of back-and-forth from one set of “players” to another. There were too many separate scenarios to follow with (admittedly) well-documented characters and investigations to follow closely. Overall I did enjoy the book. I will note there are many disconcerting errors in the book, but this could have been an early edition.
Really nice read. The only problem I have with it is the author’s use of back-and-forth from one set of “players” to another. There were too many separate scenarios to follow with (admittedly) well-documented characters and investigations to follow closely. Overall I did enjoy the book. I will note there are many disconcerting errors in the book, but this could have been an early edition.
May 9, 2023
I guess it's really not fair of me to rate this book, but I did love it!
As I was writing it, I was getting goosebumps as the detectives were putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
I truly believe you may love this book if you are a fan of Murder/Mysteries, have any connection or want one to the city of Philadelphia, or are in the Financial Service/Life insurance industry.
I hope you'll give it a read, and please let me know if you like it!
As I was writing it, I was getting goosebumps as the detectives were putting the pieces of the puzzle together.
I truly believe you may love this book if you are a fan of Murder/Mysteries, have any connection or want one to the city of Philadelphia, or are in the Financial Service/Life insurance industry.
I hope you'll give it a read, and please let me know if you like it!
May 10, 2023
Are you kidding me? I loved it; writing, editing, and reading!
I hope you give it a try and would love to hear from you!
I hope you give it a try and would love to hear from you!
May 14, 2023
What a great book by a new author! If you are a Philly native, I highly recommend as it’s loaded with all things Philly!
February 15, 2026
A very good and interesting story well told.
The overall story was very interesting because it had detectives from several locations involved in the hunt for a single killer.
The overall story was very interesting because it had detectives from several locations involved in the hunt for a single killer.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews