Double Jinx: A Bellissimo Casino Mystery Short

by Gretchen Archer

Betwixt and between DOUBLE KNOT and DOUBLE UP there's DOUBLE JINX, a high stakes Bellissimo Casino Mystery Short that nabbed an Agatha Award nomination. Meet July Jackson, Holiday Host for the Scary Rich slot tournament. Where $3,000,000 goes missing, players croak, and a couple dressed as condiments—he’s Mustard, she’s Ketchup—might be behind the spooky shenanigans. July turns to the highest level of casino security for help and meets a boy named Baylor. Just Baylor. From there, it’s nothing but thrills and chills.

40 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 9, 2024

About the author

Gretchen Archer is a Tennessee housewife, mom of three, grocery-list and mystery writer. She's the author of the Davis Way Crime Caper series.

Reviews

[Bryanna Rush · Rating 4 out of 5]

Double Jinx was a fun little Halloween casino mystery with just enough chaos to keep it moving: a slot tournament, a dead player, missing millions, and suspects dressed like condiments. It leaned into the silliness in a way that made the whole thing feel light, fast, and easy to enjoy.

July made a fun lead for this kind of bite-sized mystery, and I liked the spooky Bellissimo setup without needing it to become too serious. It was playful, a little ridiculous, and exactly the kind of short story that works as a quick seasonal treat.

Cute, funny, and low-commitment in the best way.

[MB (What she read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realized I had already read this years ago. There may be another review floating around somewhere? Anyway, I love this series. This is a novella that showcases the romance (and competence) of two of the minor recurring characters. It's a great story, and makes me actually love them a little more.

[Karen Katanick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of Gretchen’s tales. I felt like I might have read this before today but it says the book was published Sept 9, and today is September 21st? Anyways if I had read it previously, I had forgotten so I really enjoyed the fast paced, hormone filled tale.

[Ashley Cate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anytime spent at the Bellissimo casino is time well spent! I enjoyed reading about Baylor and July first meeting and seeing the start of that romance. I highly recommend this for a quick, fun story that keeps you on your toes! It would be fun to read around Halloween as well.

[Penney Letbetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

such a fun short story

The action starts right away and continues all the way through. There’s nothing confusing and it wraps up so quickly. A great quick break of reading.

[Kurt Brammer · Rating 4 out of 5]

very fun back story

I love this plus to the main series. It made me smile… thank you Gretchen. I love being in the world you have created.