The Way You Die Tonight

Rat Pack Mysteries #9

by Robert J. Randisi

Edward G Robinson is in Las Vegas researching his new movie, The Cincinnatti Kid with Steve McQueen. Frank Sinatra puts him in touch with Eddie G., floor manager of the Sands Casino and friend to the Rat Pack who frequent it.

But rumour has it that Howard Hughes is also in town looking to buy a casino; and what Hughes wants he usually gets. Jack Entratter, the owner of the Sands tries to fight the takeover and sends Eddie G., to go and convince Howard Hughes not to pursue it.

Then, Entratter's secretary goes missing and Eddie G. is entrusted with looking for her, delving into the murky underworld of Las Vegas; a world he knows well . . .

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Detective

196 pages, Hardcover

First published February 1, 2014

About the author

Robert Joseph Randisi was a prolific American author, editor, and screenwriter, best known for his work in detective and Western fiction. He wrote over 650 books, including The Gunsmith series under the pen name J.R. Roberts, and edited more than 30 anthologies. A co-founder of Mystery Scene magazine, the American Crime Writers League, and Western Fictioneers, he also established The Private Eye Writers of America and created the Shamus Award. Randisi collaborated on novels with Eileen Davidson and Vince Van Patten, and created memorable characters such as Miles Jacoby, Joe Keough, and The Rat Pack. He received multiple lifetime achievement awards and the John Seigenthaler Humanitarian Award.

Reviews

[Melodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy a visit with Eddie G, Big Jerry and the other motley characters, including members of the Rat Pack, who make up these stories. Though this was definitely not my favorite in the series it was definitely worth reading. Edward G. Robinson & the Rat Pack are really just sidebars in this story, which has Eddie looking into a possible murder for his boss, Jack Entratter, and also dealing with Howard Hughes. A good enough tale, but not as good as some others in this fun series.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this series in 2011, and have read all eight to this point. None have disappointed; Randisi captures the "atmosphere" of Las Vegas in the 1960s, or at least what I imagine it would have been like.

I have come to think of Eddie G and his companions as good friends, and look forward to more of their adventures.

** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **

[Dan Blackley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward G. Robinson comes to Vegas to learn about Poker.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie G., pit boss at the Sands Casino in Las Vegas, counts the members of the Rat Pack among his friends. When Frank Sinatra asks Eddie to do him a favor and give Edward G. Robinson an inside look at the world of high stakes poker games to help the actor prepare for a movie role, Eddie of course agrees. Compared to some of the favors Eddie has done for Frank and Dean, this one seems like an easy assignment. Then, a suspicious death at the Sands, as well as pressure from Howard Hughes on an unusual request, keeps Eddie busier than he expected and also put his life in danger.

“The Way You Die Tonight” is another great book in a fantastic series. From the clever titles to vivid characters, to the setting in 1960s Vegas, and humorous dialog, everything is a winner in this series. Although they are fictional stories, the escapades of Eddie, his P.I. friend Danny, and enforcer Big Jerry, give the reader a glimpse into Vegas history. It is amazing how Frank Sinatra, the “Chairman of the Board” and Dean Martin, the “King of Cool” come alive in the pages of these books.

This book is a little different than some of the prior installments. Eddie gets involved in trying to track down the secretary for the owner of the Sands, Jack Entratter, instead of a sensitive assignment from the Rat Pack. However, it’s just as exciting as ever and I didn’t want the fun to end as Eddie’s investigation comes to a surprising conclusion. You don’t need to have read the other books in the series to enjoy this book, but returning readers will see a different side to two series regulars. This isn’t my favorite book in this series, but it’s still an entertaining visit with interesting characters from another time.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Severn House publishing in exchange for an honest review.

[Julie Failla Earhart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 9 in the series.
As always, I look forward to the publication of a new “Rat Pack” mystery. They are fun and easy-going.
In this episode, Edward G. Robinson needs to learn more about playing poker and try out his character for an upcoming movie, The Cincinnati Kid, with Steve McQueen. The Sands Casino owner, Jack Entratter, turns EGR over to Eddie Gianelli, pit boss, friend to the Rat Pack, and fixer of whatever needs to be fixed. And here, Eddie needs to get EGR into some high stakes poker games, a feat not as easy as it might seem. And of course, this is also a personal favor to Rat Pack Chairman Frank Sinatra.
In the meantime, billionaire Howard Hughes is in Vegas and wants to see Eddie. This makes Eddie a little nervous. What could Hughes want from him?
As Eddie starts to juggle those two balls, Entratter’s secretary has disappeared, only to be found strung up in the Ladies Room down the hall. Eddie calls in his pals, private dick Danny and bruise Jerry from Brooklyn. And with the gang all there, bullets and fists start to fly, plus the guys’ investigations takes them to the seedier side of Vegas.
Another easy read mystery from Randisi. I read The Way You Die Tonight on a 7-hour road trip and loved every minute of it. I give it five out of five stars.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Despite the way the book is presented Frank Sinatra and Eddie G. Robinson are side characters. Sinatra only makes a cameo, as does Dean Martin and a few others of the "Rat Pack." The book is told from the perspective of Eddie G. remembering his time as a pit boss in a mob controlled casino in 1960's Las Vegas. There is a murder at the casino and Eddie G is called in to investigate as well as juggle his other duties and spend time with his friends in the "Rat Pack."

There were a lot of red herrings in it and I could have done without the side trip to the sex club, although there weren't descriptions of it. There was quite a bit of swearing that started about 1/3 of the way through the book.

Overall it was a quick read that tried to be along the lines of a 1930's noir private eye novel. There wasn't as much killing and shot-outs, but plenty of beatings and too many clichés to really be good.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was the newest in a long running series set in Vegas with members of the Rat Pack as wlk on characters. The lead player is the :house: fixer for the mob run Sands Hotel and casino of the late 50's and early 60's. He stumbles across a crime and into various situations which have him being helped by his close friends and the Rat Pack members. In this tale Edward G. Robinson is asking for help to build his role in the Cincinnati Kid as an old professional poker player. The hero Eddie G. aids "Rico" learn the ins and outs of the game while solving a murder at the Sands and getting Howard Hughes to back off his taking over Vegas. Set in 1964, Hughes comes back in '67 but that and a hint of a Jerry Lewis "problem" are for other tales.

[Myr · Rating 3 out of 5]

After a little bit of an uneven, uninspired run, with this and the last title, the Rat Pack mystery series is really feeling more refreshed! The Howard Hughes plot felt shoe-horned in, but it didn't detract too much from the story as a whole. This entry into the series gave me more of what I like best about it - an insight into a part of Vegas and the way people lived back then that wouldn't be immediately apparent. The final resolution was probably a solid B, but getting there was an A, I'd say.

This book seemed to tease that the next story will involve Jerry Lewis and more of Dean Martin, and since Dean is my favorite, I am very much looking forward to that.

[RHPL Adult Reference]

This is the 9th book of the "Rat Pack" mysteries. This book would appeal to readers that like a good historic mystery with a strong sense of place and the added aspect of celebrity name-dropping. "The Way You Die Tonight" was published in February 2014 and is 192 pages making it a quick read. Books that are similar include "Pegasus Descending" by James Lee Burke, "The Narrows" by Michael Connelly and "Celebrity in Death" by J.D. Robb.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining take on hipster Vegas in the early sixties. The actual mystery was pretty uncomplicated and straightforward, but the 200 pages of the book were filled in with Eddie G's attempts to avoid Howard Hughes and see that Edward G. Robinson learns how to play poker for his upcoming role in The Cincinnati Kid.

[David Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an immensely readable, albeit slightly lightweight, historical mystery where our fictional hero rubs shoulders with the superstars of the 1960s.

http://opionator.wordpress.com/2014/0...

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: Eddie Gianelli and the Rat Pack; when a woman is murdered at the Samds, Eddie and his friends work to solve the mystery while at the same time assisting Edward G. Robinson prepare for a role

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This nostalgic series is always enjoyable!

[Charles Miller]

Another wonderful Rat Pack mystery. I'm already looking forward to the next one.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love this series! This is the 9th book in the series...
I was a tad let down from the book before, but this is one of the better ones!
No spoilers here.
This a quick read, and fun...

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was... okay. It just didn't have the same spark as the others in the series. Still not bad, but probably the weakest in the series thus far.