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Rat Pack Mysteries #8
You Make Me Feel So Dead
It’s 1964, and Elvis Presley is heading to Vegas for the opening of his latest film, Viva Las Vegas. Although he despises rock & roll, Frank Sinatra has always had time for Elvis. So when Elvis’s manager contacts Frank to explain that Elvis is out of control and to request Frank’s help in safeguarding him while he’s in Vegas, Frank calls on Eddie as being just the man for the job.
At the same time, Eddie must find out who put his friend, Vegas PI Danny Bardini, in hospital – and why.
In order to get to the bottom of the mystery, while doing his best to keep Elvis out of trouble, Eddie will need to call on his old friends, the Rat Pack, for help.
At the same time, Eddie must find out who put his friend, Vegas PI Danny Bardini, in hospital – and why.
In order to get to the bottom of the mystery, while doing his best to keep Elvis out of trouble, Eddie will need to call on his old friends, the Rat Pack, for help.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. Randisi
243 books106 followersRobert 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.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 8, 2014
Something must touch some playful nostalgic nerve whenever I read one of the Rat Pack mysteries by Robert J. Randisi. You Make Me Feel So Dead was no exception. I traveled back into time and walked those carpets of the Sands which are no more just one more time. Isn’t it strange that someone who isn’t a gambler (I visited the Sands on business, interviewing Tom Clancy there during its final decade, and was in Las Vegas on business when Tim Burton dressed it up for Mars Attacks! just before it was demolished.) and didn’t really care for Frank Sinatra or Elvis Presley (I’m afraid the cultural imams or priests will have me stoned for that admission.) would devour every one of these mysteries he could find? Well, I do.
You Make Me Feel So Dead is not a “locked room” mystery. I’d call it more of a “locked weapon” mystery. How could a murder be committed with someone’s gun when the gun was in that person’s possession and that person insists that he/she didn’t do it? And why would a cheap chiseling hood be knocked off hundreds of miles from his base of operation, anyway? And what does all of that have to do with Elvis Presley, Ann-Margaret, Dean Martin, and the Chairman of the Board? Well, regular readers of the series will know that they are all friends of Eddie Gianelli, the pit boss protagonist who has Vegas wired, and that Eddie G. has done favors for all of them (with the possible exception of the young actress). And you know what favors mean in the world of Dino and Mr. S.; they create reciprocal obligations and this is really one of the few times in the series where the “big guys” seem to be paying off.
Now, even though I live in Chicago, I never met (as far as I know) any of Sam Giancana’s (the infamous Momo) boys. Even though the “mob boss” of Chicago was long deceased by the time I moved here, I’m certain that his influence lives on (Ever deal with the unions in this town?) and I really wouldn’t know his “boys” if I saw one. But I feel like I know the late Momo from reading these books. I’m pretty sure Randisi has some solid sources and a lot of what I knew about the underworld from rumor and innuendo gets a more nuanced presentation in these novels. For example, I never understood how Johnny Roselli was supposed to be running Las Vegas while he was based in L.A. Well, You Make Me Feel So Dead sort of puts that in perspective (the perspective of plausible deniability because he was supposed to be running a Hollywood studio as a cover—though, of course, he was under a different kind of covers most of the time). So, naturally, since I’ve typed about them, you know that both of these mob bosses show up in the story.
Naturally, also, if you read my “reviews” of books here, you know that nothing is as simple as it sounds. Even though it’s Las Vegas in the mid-‘60s (shortly after the JFK assassination), you can neither place too much or too little emphasis on the mob connection. At times, mafia influence may be significant, at other times obstructive, and at other times, a backdrop for a policeman’s willingness to try to frame certain characters in the story. If you’ve read the series, you know Detective Hargrove and you won’t be surprised that he’s out to get Eddie G. or one of his friends (famous or otherwise).
You Make Me Feel So Dead is also something of a departure for the series. Usually, the new celebrity in the story is the one who has a problem that Eddie is trying to solve. In this case, certain celebrities are active in the solution and the “headline” guest star is involved in lots more of the action than you’d originally suspect. And, this story also takes Eddie G. as the reluctant private eye a step further. It also leaves a couple of matters obscured in the shadows. Considering that it’s a novel about the shadowy underworld where the criminal world intersects its legitimate cover, that seems appropriate.
You Make Me Feel So Dead is not a “locked room” mystery. I’d call it more of a “locked weapon” mystery. How could a murder be committed with someone’s gun when the gun was in that person’s possession and that person insists that he/she didn’t do it? And why would a cheap chiseling hood be knocked off hundreds of miles from his base of operation, anyway? And what does all of that have to do with Elvis Presley, Ann-Margaret, Dean Martin, and the Chairman of the Board? Well, regular readers of the series will know that they are all friends of Eddie Gianelli, the pit boss protagonist who has Vegas wired, and that Eddie G. has done favors for all of them (with the possible exception of the young actress). And you know what favors mean in the world of Dino and Mr. S.; they create reciprocal obligations and this is really one of the few times in the series where the “big guys” seem to be paying off.
Now, even though I live in Chicago, I never met (as far as I know) any of Sam Giancana’s (the infamous Momo) boys. Even though the “mob boss” of Chicago was long deceased by the time I moved here, I’m certain that his influence lives on (Ever deal with the unions in this town?) and I really wouldn’t know his “boys” if I saw one. But I feel like I know the late Momo from reading these books. I’m pretty sure Randisi has some solid sources and a lot of what I knew about the underworld from rumor and innuendo gets a more nuanced presentation in these novels. For example, I never understood how Johnny Roselli was supposed to be running Las Vegas while he was based in L.A. Well, You Make Me Feel So Dead sort of puts that in perspective (the perspective of plausible deniability because he was supposed to be running a Hollywood studio as a cover—though, of course, he was under a different kind of covers most of the time). So, naturally, since I’ve typed about them, you know that both of these mob bosses show up in the story.
Naturally, also, if you read my “reviews” of books here, you know that nothing is as simple as it sounds. Even though it’s Las Vegas in the mid-‘60s (shortly after the JFK assassination), you can neither place too much or too little emphasis on the mob connection. At times, mafia influence may be significant, at other times obstructive, and at other times, a backdrop for a policeman’s willingness to try to frame certain characters in the story. If you’ve read the series, you know Detective Hargrove and you won’t be surprised that he’s out to get Eddie G. or one of his friends (famous or otherwise).
You Make Me Feel So Dead is also something of a departure for the series. Usually, the new celebrity in the story is the one who has a problem that Eddie is trying to solve. In this case, certain celebrities are active in the solution and the “headline” guest star is involved in lots more of the action than you’d originally suspect. And, this story also takes Eddie G. as the reluctant private eye a step further. It also leaves a couple of matters obscured in the shadows. Considering that it’s a novel about the shadowy underworld where the criminal world intersects its legitimate cover, that seems appropriate.
September 26, 2013
This is probably 3.5 stars, but no 1/2 stars on GR, so I'm going for 4. Frank asks Eddie to do a favor for him and go talk to Colonel Tom Parker. Turns out Elvis is coming to town to promote Viva Las Vegas and since the Colonel has heard such good things about Eddie from Frank he'd like to hire him to "babysit" while Elvis is in town. Eddie being Eddie won't take money for it, but he agrees to kind of "show" Elvis around town while he's there. Elvis is nobody's fool and knows what the deal is, but he likes Eddie and they both end up involved in all kinds of things they hadn't bargained for. When Eddie's P.I. buddy asks him to tail his secretary and sometime girlfriend, Penny, Eddie calls his pal, Jerry, to come help him cover all his bases. When Danny gets arrested for murder everyone, including Elvis, Frank & Dino gets involved! Good tale with cameos from Ann-Margret & Momo Giancana to name a few! RECOMMEND!
March 25, 2014
This series continues to be a fun diversion. I really enjoyed Randisi's nuanced take on Elvis and hope he factors into another book or two; he fits right in with the Rat Pack gang. Although I found it a little hard to suspend disbelief as to the level of involvement of Frank and Dean in the mystery solving, I did appreciate that Randisi sought to change the normal formula up a little bit, to have the guys do some of the helping, instead of always being the ones who need help.
February 17, 2025
Rat Pack Mystery #8 ----- Las Vegas, 1964. Elvis Presley is coming to town to promote his new movie "Viva Las Vegas". Elvis' manager Col. Parker asks Eddie G. to keep an eye on Elvis. Elvis turns out not to be a big problem except Eddie's friend has been accused of murder and Elvis, Frank, and Dino are on the case to help clear Eddie's friend. This is one of the best in the Rat Pack series -- 4 stars.
December 27, 2018
I have read all of the Rat Pack Mysteries up to this one and enjoyed them all. Of the ones to this date, I have enjoyed this one the most. I have no idea if the Elvis character is even remotely accurate, but he is a complete hoot. I was completely entertained. Read them all, but definitely read this one.
May 8, 2019
I give these books six stars!! I love these books!! I want more of them!! I've written to Mr. Randisi asking him to write a book with a certain celebrity. Never heard from him. I might have to try again. FUN! FUN! FUN! and I LOVE JERRY!!
September 26, 2019
I love Robert Randisi's imaging of the Rat Pack as part time crime solvers. The plots are tame but the characters more than make up for it. Dialed in pit boss Eddie G never disappoints. Fans of Vegas and murder will enjoy this book.
June 16, 2020
Elvis is in the building! Elvis needs help and Mr. G and Jerry help him out.
June 22, 2020
I really enjoy Randisi's Rat Pack mystery series. Fun stuff!
December 10, 2013
I enjoyed this book, but don't see it as being anything of a great mystery.
The presence of Elvis is the book was fun, but the book is supposed to be a period piece on Vegas in the 60's and I think the author forgot that from time to time.
For example, at the end of one of the chapters, he refers to blowing someone off-- which seemed to me much more of a 70's phrase for ignoring someone.
He also referred to Elvis' trademark sideburns.. were these really so apparent in 1965? I thought that was a late 60's early 70's thing for him.
Also, all of the famous people in this book: Sinatra, Elvis, Dino, etc. are nice guys.. Really? All of them?
It is a good book and a lot of fun, but it falls short, I think.
The presence of Elvis is the book was fun, but the book is supposed to be a period piece on Vegas in the 60's and I think the author forgot that from time to time.
For example, at the end of one of the chapters, he refers to blowing someone off-- which seemed to me much more of a 70's phrase for ignoring someone.
He also referred to Elvis' trademark sideburns.. were these really so apparent in 1965? I thought that was a late 60's early 70's thing for him.
Also, all of the famous people in this book: Sinatra, Elvis, Dino, etc. are nice guys.. Really? All of them?
It is a good book and a lot of fun, but it falls short, I think.
August 9, 2013
This is very much in the pulp style of PI novel with our series hero combining with the Rat Pack and Elvis to solve a couple a cases and avoid being shot to piece by the Mob. It's great fun.
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April 9, 2016
Excellent; Continuing characters: Eddie Gianelli and the Rat Pack; tables are turned when Eddie G's PI friend Danny is arrested for murder and Frank, Dino, and a young Elvis Presley help to clear him and find the real culprit
October 27, 2013
This series always makes me happy!
November 25, 2013
I love the Rat Pack mysteries, though I wasn't sure about reading this one as it was about Elvis. However, it was an enjoyable book. This is one of my favorite series of books.
September 30, 2014
While I love this series,this one just wasn't that good.
It was a quick read,and I can see where the next few books may be going....
But out of the series, this would be on the bottom for me.
It was a quick read,and I can see where the next few books may be going....
But out of the series, this would be on the bottom for me.
September 12, 2024
Excellent addition to the Rat Pack Murder Mystery series.
December 30, 2023
This series of cozy mysteries is set in Las Vegas, in the 1960s. This particular title guest-stars Elvis Presley.
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED **
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May 30, 2016Really good, love the Rat Pack myseries
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews