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Gina Gallo #2
The Goddaughter's Revenge
When jewelry-store owner Gina Gallo and her boyfriend Pete take a week's vacation, she leaves the store in the hands of her cousin from New York. After all, cousin Carmine is a certified gemologist―but Carmine is also in the Mob. When Gina gets back, she discovers that her cousin has spent his time switching real gems for fakes in the jewelry of some of her best customers.
With her reputation on the line, what's a Mob goddaughter to do? Mastermind a string of burglaries to get the gems back, of course! But nothing ever goes entirely smoothly for Gina. Soon she and her eccentric cousin Nico are the toast of the town, as the local paper and everyone else follow the antics of their very own Pink Panthers.
With her reputation on the line, what's a Mob goddaughter to do? Mastermind a string of burglaries to get the gems back, of course! But nothing ever goes entirely smoothly for Gina. Soon she and her eccentric cousin Nico are the toast of the town, as the local paper and everyone else follow the antics of their very own Pink Panthers.
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2013
266 people want to read
About the author
Melodie Campbell
46 books106 followers"the Canadian literary heir to Donald Westlake"
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
NEWS: THE GODDAUGHTER DOES VEGAS is on the Ontario Library Association 2020 Forest of Reading GREAT STORIES list!
THE B-TEAM has been shortlisted for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Award for Excellence in Crime Writing! Melodie Campbell is a double finalist this year, with A SHIP CALLED PANDORA (Mystery Weekly Magazine) being a finalist in the short story category.
THE GODDAUGHTER'S REVENGE has won the DERRINGER AWARD and the ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD for Crime Writing!
The Toronto Sun called her Canada's "Queen of Comedy." Library Journal compared her to Janet Evanovich.
Melodie got her start writing comedy so it's no surprise that reviewers and editors have called her fiction "hilarious" and "laugh-out-loud funny". She has over 200 publications, including 40 short stories, 15 novels, and has won 10 awards for fiction.
"The Goddaughter" a comic mob caper, has been called "Just right for Janet Evanovich fans...impossible not to laugh" by Library Journal.
"The Goddaughter's Revenge" from Orca books, was dubbed 'Real Gold' by the Hamilton Spectator. It won the Derringer Award in the States, and the Arthur Ellis Award in Canada.
Book 5 in the series, "The Bootlegger's Goddaughter" was a finalist for the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak Award. Book 6 in the series, "The Goddaughter Does Vegas" is now available.
Top 100 Bestseller "Rowena Through the Wall," was the first novel in the Land's End comic time travel fantasy series. The entire Land's End trilogy is a Top 50 Amazon Bestseller (all books).
Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine
NEWS: THE GODDAUGHTER DOES VEGAS is on the Ontario Library Association 2020 Forest of Reading GREAT STORIES list!
THE B-TEAM has been shortlisted for the 2019 Arthur Ellis Award for Excellence in Crime Writing! Melodie Campbell is a double finalist this year, with A SHIP CALLED PANDORA (Mystery Weekly Magazine) being a finalist in the short story category.
THE GODDAUGHTER'S REVENGE has won the DERRINGER AWARD and the ARTHUR ELLIS AWARD for Crime Writing!
The Toronto Sun called her Canada's "Queen of Comedy." Library Journal compared her to Janet Evanovich.
Melodie got her start writing comedy so it's no surprise that reviewers and editors have called her fiction "hilarious" and "laugh-out-loud funny". She has over 200 publications, including 40 short stories, 15 novels, and has won 10 awards for fiction.
"The Goddaughter" a comic mob caper, has been called "Just right for Janet Evanovich fans...impossible not to laugh" by Library Journal.
"The Goddaughter's Revenge" from Orca books, was dubbed 'Real Gold' by the Hamilton Spectator. It won the Derringer Award in the States, and the Arthur Ellis Award in Canada.
Book 5 in the series, "The Bootlegger's Goddaughter" was a finalist for the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak Award. Book 6 in the series, "The Goddaughter Does Vegas" is now available.
Top 100 Bestseller "Rowena Through the Wall," was the first novel in the Land's End comic time travel fantasy series. The entire Land's End trilogy is a Top 50 Amazon Bestseller (all books).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 13, 2017
4 stars! I love this series. It's a super fast read, the characters are entertaining and I laughed out loud a lot! I found this book to be better than the first one, so I'm really looking forward to continuing on with the series. Book three, here I come!
November 12, 2013
A Rapid Reads book, lots of personality, humour, zany characters and a fun read, short and compact. The action and dialogue is so reminiscent of an old Black and White madcap movie set in modern day I knew immediately I would enjoy it. The characters are all written with their individual quirks intact and ready to go. For Gina Gallow, being a member of a mob "Family" is not always what it's cracked up to be.
Melodie Campbell has an ability to take a storyline by the roots and shake it up with often hilarious results. This the second book I have read by this author, both from different series. Still, the author's innate ability to create fantastic stories is the foundation of both series.
Here we have Gina Gallow, the goddaughter of a Mob Boss and owner of her own jewelry store. Though she doesn't want to be part of 'The Family' business, she is not beyond eliciting help when she needs it, even enlisting her fiance in her capers. Who else would be burglarizing to steal fake gems to replace with the real thing? And what about the Lone Rearranger? Who but Melodie Campbell would pull off this zany story of family characters with their crazy personalities? Which comes first, loyalty to family or loyalty to the job? Loved this romp; Melodie, I will happily follow wherever your books will take me!
Melodie Campbell has an ability to take a storyline by the roots and shake it up with often hilarious results. This the second book I have read by this author, both from different series. Still, the author's innate ability to create fantastic stories is the foundation of both series.
Here we have Gina Gallow, the goddaughter of a Mob Boss and owner of her own jewelry store. Though she doesn't want to be part of 'The Family' business, she is not beyond eliciting help when she needs it, even enlisting her fiance in her capers. Who else would be burglarizing to steal fake gems to replace with the real thing? And what about the Lone Rearranger? Who but Melodie Campbell would pull off this zany story of family characters with their crazy personalities? Which comes first, loyalty to family or loyalty to the job? Loved this romp; Melodie, I will happily follow wherever your books will take me!
November 18, 2023
While I liked book 1 better, I continue to enjoy this mystery series so unlike anything else in the genre. The author continues with Gina Gallo, member of a mob family, who really does not want to be part of the family work but somehow gets roped in anyway. In this second book, her cousin Carmine was stealing customer gems while watching her jewelry store so Gina has to break into their homes to retrieve her clients' fake gems; her reputation is at risk. She enlists the help of her fiance, an assistant, and someone who will soon be called the lone (living room) rearranger. I was fortunate to meet the author, also funny in real life, who signed my copy of this book.
October 27, 2013
After Gina gets back from meeting her future in-laws, she discovers her cousin has substituted fake gemstones for real gemstones in a number of prominent clients' rings. Therefore, with the assistance of a couple of friends, she begins a program of breaking and entering to replace the rings.
Quirky and delightful characters fill this story. Concise yet descriptive dialogue and plot narrative help define the characters as well as drive the action.
Overall, a fun read!
Quirky and delightful characters fill this story. Concise yet descriptive dialogue and plot narrative help define the characters as well as drive the action.
Overall, a fun read!
July 26, 2013
A quick and interesting read with a mysterious twist and a side of slapstick comedy! A fun read! M. Espinola
December 22, 2021
Novella, 140 Pages, Not a cozy & really not a mystery but a quick fun read.
Gina, Daughter of a mob boss must leave her jewelry store for a week, when she returns she finds
her cousin Carmine who worked the store for a week had been selling fake diamond rings during the time. Gina must find a way to get the real diamonds back, set into rings and exchange the real rings with the fakes without her customers knowing about it or her reputation could be ruined.
Good mob characters (Including names) , no killings, Gay cousin Nico is fun and the main character Gina has a lot of quick funny remarks concerning the being associated with the mob!
Quick read, try it! David N.
Gina, Daughter of a mob boss must leave her jewelry store for a week, when she returns she finds
her cousin Carmine who worked the store for a week had been selling fake diamond rings during the time. Gina must find a way to get the real diamonds back, set into rings and exchange the real rings with the fakes without her customers knowing about it or her reputation could be ruined.
Good mob characters (Including names) , no killings, Gay cousin Nico is fun and the main character Gina has a lot of quick funny remarks concerning the being associated with the mob!
Quick read, try it! David N.
July 25, 2017
"'Nico, you got the brains of a long-dead lake trout. Don't you ever . . .Miriam will bat your ears if she finds out.'
Nico looked suitably chastened. Aunt Miriam had a way with ears."
Ms. Campbell's second book in the mob Goddaughter series stars Gina Gallo who is trying to run her jewelry store without family (Yes, that kind of family) assistance. She had left her jewelry store in the hands of a cousin who replaces the real stones on customer's jewelry with fakes.
Hilarious scenes of Gina and her posse trying to break into houses to replace jewelry.
Nico looked suitably chastened. Aunt Miriam had a way with ears."
Ms. Campbell's second book in the mob Goddaughter series stars Gina Gallo who is trying to run her jewelry store without family (Yes, that kind of family) assistance. She had left her jewelry store in the hands of a cousin who replaces the real stones on customer's jewelry with fakes.
Hilarious scenes of Gina and her posse trying to break into houses to replace jewelry.
June 13, 2025
(Cross-posted with StoryGraph because these little books are so delightful and clever!)
These witty, short mysteries set in Hamilton, Ontario, are great fun. This is #2 of 6 as of 2019. Gina is a gemologist trying to stay away from her mob family who keep drawing her back in. In this one a cousin who tended her jewelry store while Gina was on vacation switched out real gems for fakes. Gina needs to get each piece back to replace the real gems but there are plenty of problems along the way.
These witty, short mysteries set in Hamilton, Ontario, are great fun. This is #2 of 6 as of 2019. Gina is a gemologist trying to stay away from her mob family who keep drawing her back in. In this one a cousin who tended her jewelry store while Gina was on vacation switched out real gems for fakes. Gina needs to get each piece back to replace the real gems but there are plenty of problems along the way.
July 25, 2025
This was a very fast, funny read, and probably my favorite of the rapid reads collection so far. I enjoyed the main characters mob connection which makes for some serious characters, but also with their fair share of humor. I really liked cousin Nico and thought the main character Gina was a fun one to spend time with as well. Overall a great read and I am happy there are others in the "goddaughter" series (including one before this I missed).
July 19, 2018
These books are fun for what they are-Rapid Reads brand-fast paced and light. I'll probably read the others during the school year when my brain needs more of a break.
August 19, 2018
Very short
It's a very short but light hearted for a quick read before sleep. Would read another of these by melodies Campbell.
It's a very short but light hearted for a quick read before sleep. Would read another of these by melodies Campbell.
December 12, 2019
I recently met this author and have already read 9 of her books . Hope to read the rest in the next few months. Thanks, Melodie. John
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2022
Nothing special but a quick read to fill the time.
September 2, 2024
Melodie Campbell is so funny.
June 30, 2025
My ESL book club students loved the humor, hijinx, and mob drama. A fun read.
June 25, 2015
I read and reviewed the first two books (The Goddaughter and The Goddaughter's Revenge on my blog recently, here's my review of both.
These are action packed, full laugh-loaded books. What makes that so amazing is that they are novellas. I've no clue how Melodie Campbell manage to stuff so much in so few pages. It's like magic. You get the full enjoyment of a novel in an hour's time. I have to think she's got something to hold over Time so it caters to her needs.
Seriously, these novellas have so much fun stuffed in them, you will swear they are full length novels, and time is just screwing with your head.
Living in New Jersey, I have come upon real mafia myself, but there is nothing like growing up in the family to truly grasp the complexity of their relationships. You'll get a great sense of what I'm talking about in these two books.
Once a young mafia stud threatened to blow my head off, right there in the middle of a traffic jam while a hundred people looked on.
So when Melodie has her characters do brainless things, I not only believe them, I'm pretty sure someone she knew did something similar to all the stupid-ass things that occur in the books.
Both books are superbly written. However, since I loved the story plot of book two more than book one, I'll give it 5 stares, and the first book 4.5 stars, rounding it up to 5, and hope it won't cause conflict in the book family. Given book two has won several awards, book one may be resentful, and since it cannot kill it's family, it might come after me.... Well, let me say the same thing I did to the mafia tough who once threatened me: "Oh, for God's sakes, just do it! You're giving me a headache."
Hopefully, book one will stare at me in baffled silence for a moment, then slam his book cover on my pc and storm off rather awkwardly. (Books are clumsy when storming off.)
Liza, going for her strangest review yet...because Melodie provoked her sense of humor with her crazy stories.
These are action packed, full laugh-loaded books. What makes that so amazing is that they are novellas. I've no clue how Melodie Campbell manage to stuff so much in so few pages. It's like magic. You get the full enjoyment of a novel in an hour's time. I have to think she's got something to hold over Time so it caters to her needs.
Seriously, these novellas have so much fun stuffed in them, you will swear they are full length novels, and time is just screwing with your head.
Living in New Jersey, I have come upon real mafia myself, but there is nothing like growing up in the family to truly grasp the complexity of their relationships. You'll get a great sense of what I'm talking about in these two books.
Once a young mafia stud threatened to blow my head off, right there in the middle of a traffic jam while a hundred people looked on.
So when Melodie has her characters do brainless things, I not only believe them, I'm pretty sure someone she knew did something similar to all the stupid-ass things that occur in the books.
Both books are superbly written. However, since I loved the story plot of book two more than book one, I'll give it 5 stares, and the first book 4.5 stars, rounding it up to 5, and hope it won't cause conflict in the book family. Given book two has won several awards, book one may be resentful, and since it cannot kill it's family, it might come after me.... Well, let me say the same thing I did to the mafia tough who once threatened me: "Oh, for God's sakes, just do it! You're giving me a headache."
Hopefully, book one will stare at me in baffled silence for a moment, then slam his book cover on my pc and storm off rather awkwardly. (Books are clumsy when storming off.)
Liza, going for her strangest review yet...because Melodie provoked her sense of humor with her crazy stories.
November 28, 2013
7.5/10
I won this book from Melodie Campbell from a Goodreads giveaway. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it. The fact that the story took place in Ontario, and a City I know, added a connection to the story that I normally don't get.
I found this book funny and easy to read. It didn't drag out scenes and kept you entertained. I didn't read the first book of this series, but I was not lost in the story at all, which was nice. The light-hearted style of this book was a nice change to the style of books I have been reading and, because of the length of the book, I was able to enjoy it and complete it within a 24 hour period.
I enjoyed this book so much that I do plan on reading the first book. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Stephanie Plum series (I feel they have a similar tone to them) or anyone wanting a break from a more dark/sad book they just read (for me it was Allegiant).
I won this book from Melodie Campbell from a Goodreads giveaway. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read it. The fact that the story took place in Ontario, and a City I know, added a connection to the story that I normally don't get.
I found this book funny and easy to read. It didn't drag out scenes and kept you entertained. I didn't read the first book of this series, but I was not lost in the story at all, which was nice. The light-hearted style of this book was a nice change to the style of books I have been reading and, because of the length of the book, I was able to enjoy it and complete it within a 24 hour period.
I enjoyed this book so much that I do plan on reading the first book. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the Stephanie Plum series (I feel they have a similar tone to them) or anyone wanting a break from a more dark/sad book they just read (for me it was Allegiant).
November 19, 2013
"The Goddaughter's Revenge" is a category of book I've never read before; it's a rapid read, something between a short story and a novella. Melodie Campbell, the author, teamed with Hamilton Literacy at the book launch to donate all proceeds from the launch's sales to the literacy group, as well as donating a set of books for classroom use. This style of book is particularly good for people learning to read English: it's funny, the pace is brisk, and the language isn't too difficult for ESL readers.
The heroine is Gina Gallo, a young woman who owns a jewelry store in Hamilton and whose big Italian family has mob connections. When a relative looking after the store during Gina's absence switches the gems customers have brought in on a special cleaning deal for phonies, Gina decides to fix things by breaking into her customers' homes and replacing the counterfeit stones with the real McCoy. A backwards burglary, in effect. Things get even more complicated when her family intervenes and one of her accomplices starts re-arranging furniture in the houses they're breaking into. A zany, madcap adventure with touches of romance.
The heroine is Gina Gallo, a young woman who owns a jewelry store in Hamilton and whose big Italian family has mob connections. When a relative looking after the store during Gina's absence switches the gems customers have brought in on a special cleaning deal for phonies, Gina decides to fix things by breaking into her customers' homes and replacing the counterfeit stones with the real McCoy. A backwards burglary, in effect. Things get even more complicated when her family intervenes and one of her accomplices starts re-arranging furniture in the houses they're breaking into. A zany, madcap adventure with touches of romance.
September 15, 2016
In this zany little crime caper romp, Gina Gallo is once again in trouble due to her mobbed-up relatives. When she discovers some of her clients' jewelry has been rearranged, the precious stones replaced with cheap replicas, she suspects her own cousin Carmine. Determined to right the wrongs and save the good reputation of her jewelry store, Gina enlists another cousin, Nico, a budding interior designer, as she attempts to return her clients' stolen property. This involves sneaking behind her fiancé's back, blackmailing her uncle, and engaging in reverse burglarizing. Not as easy as it sounds. And when Nico is unable to resist improving on the tasteless decor of the homes they B&E, the media dubs him the Lone Re-arranger.
The Goddaughter's Revenge is almost as hilarious as the previous novella in the series, and equally satisfying. A good, fun read for a hot summer day.
The Goddaughter's Revenge is almost as hilarious as the previous novella in the series, and equally satisfying. A good, fun read for a hot summer day.
November 4, 2013
Talk about a dysfunctional family! Gina goes on vacation. While she is gone, one of her cousins steps in to run her jewelry store for her. Imagine her surprise and anger when she discovers her cousin has replaced real gemstones in her customer's rings with fakes! Gina develops a plan to commit reverse burglaries to return the real gems and get the fakes back and what ensues is a hilarious comedy of errors and coincidences. I recommend this book to anyone who wants a quick, humorous read. I promise you will enjoy yourself!
October 10, 2014
A easy, fun read! A quirky family of characters that often made me laugh out loud. The author has a great sense of humour with the talent to bring it to the written page to share with the reader. Best of all I live and grew up in "The Hammer" and really enjoyed the references to places, streets,etc that I know. This was my first read by this author thanks to winning a copy of this book via LibraryThing Early Reviewers.
October 10, 2013
I am glad I won this book from Goodreads First Reads giveaway. This book was so cute. I loved Nico too. It was a very fast read, only 124 pages big font. But I guess that is why they call it Rapid Reads. Either way it was a very enjoyable story. My only thing is that I wish it was a full story. I loved Gina and the family so I would love to read more about them.
November 8, 2013
Good book - quick, light read. Finished it in one evening. Great story line about a dysfunctional mob family and the girl who wants to live a normal life! I would love to see her expand the story line and the charachters and do a longer book! I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Janet Evanovich. I am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
May 16, 2014
LOL FUNNY.
Stolen jewels, a crazy family, an adventurous and funny protagonist will keep you reading until the end. If you like a good mystery that makes you laugh, this is the book for you. The novel takes place in the Hamilton, Canada area and the descriptions take you there. Enjoy. I certainly did.
Stolen jewels, a crazy family, an adventurous and funny protagonist will keep you reading until the end. If you like a good mystery that makes you laugh, this is the book for you. The novel takes place in the Hamilton, Canada area and the descriptions take you there. Enjoy. I certainly did.
August 25, 2017
A quick and funny read. Being goddaughter to the mob has its advantages, especially when someone messes with your business. Gina and her quirky sidekicks, Tiff and Nico, have to set things right before someone notices and her reputation is ruined. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
November 8, 2013
It was a nice read.A short novella about woman who owns a jewelry shop and her cousin stealing from her.She(Gina) made her mission to return the stones back to the customers her cousin stole from and without her letting her mob family know it or her customers as well.
November 27, 2013
Gina Gallo is back and in fine form. The author has a real talent for combining humour with suspense. Watching Gina Gallo try to outwit her mob family had me laughing and biting my nails at the same time. Don't miss out on this one!
January 27, 2015
Ms. Campbell does not disappoint with her follow-up to The Goddaughter. Hilarious with a fun adventure. But most of all, I particularly enjoyed the wacky assortment of family and friends that surround her. A novel for anyone looking for a good way to pass an hour or two with a great laugh.
May 15, 2016
Gina and Pete are a cute couple and he has to deal with her capers and her family's mob ways. This time Gina has been gone and her cousin Carmine was running the store and made some switches that could make Gina look bad This is the story of how she got that turned around. Always funny.
January 4, 2014
Review up soon.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews