Codename: Blackjack

Sagas of the Cincinnati #2

by Rusty McClure, David Stern

BLACKJACK A mysterious phone call brings Espy Harper and The Cincinnati to a rendezvous where she learns an accident was actually a murder...triggering a chain of events leading Espy and her team to a cache of decade-old documents. These documents suggest that John Kennedy Jr. was close to exposing his father's killer just before his plane went down.

Genres: Mystery

528 pages, Hardcover

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Rusty McClure, is the New York Times bestselling author of Crosley, Cincinnatus, Coral Castle, and Codename: Blackjack.

He has a Master of Divinity degree from Emory university and a Harvard MBA.

An advisor and investor in numerous entrepreneurial projects, Rusty teaches the entrepreneurial course at his undergraduate alma mater, Ohio Wesleyan university.

He is the son of Ellen Crosley McClure, who is the daughter of Lewis Crosley and direct descendant of the Crosley brothers.

Rusty resides with his wife and daughters in Dublin, Ohio.

Rusty has served as a PGA scoring observer for twenty years.

Reviews

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espy Harper is a sharp, fun character to follow through all the rabbitholes and twists of this story. There's a third act twist that blew my hair back, and the "known secrets" of the JFK assassination and other things like that has been intricately weaved into the story, making it all too real!

Fun read for mystery lovers, secret society afficionados, and fans of strange dossiers leading the DOJ to investigate a decades long conspiracy.

[Kaitlyn Vargas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Espe is a female character you do not want to mess with! Second novel of the series and it definitely kept you in your toes. Enjoyed the combination of history with a classic FBI tale.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckle up. Who would NOT be interested in a story that combines an inside story of the JFK assassination; CIA intrigue; spidery Las Vegas mob involvement; and billions in untraceable funds?? Codename: Blackjack delivers all this and more! The book’s Prologue starts in Las Vegas and proceeds to Washington DC to the shadowy but legit Society of the Cincinnati, tracing its roots to colonial America. Follow the protagonist Espy as she uncovers layers and years of corruption and deceit, remindful of Grisham’s trademark twists and turn, battling unseen and unknown enemies. Hang on for edge-of-your-seat drama!!

[Kristen Considine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway box set and was surprised to enjoy the second installment as much as the first. The plot twist was wild and I didn’t see it coming! There is, yet again, a few too many narrow escapes, but no one wants to see the bad guys win! But I really enjoyed this mystery/thriller centered around secret societies, black ops, the JFK assignation, and the Vegas Mob! Now I’m just aggravated that I got all the way to the end and find out it’s a trilogy! And I can’t find the release date for #3; Cataract.

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read this book. It's the first time reading a book like that And I really enjoyed it. This book was really well written with lots of twist and turns that keep you wanting to read more. I like that in the book, It has a little bit of pictures and fun things to read.

[Jim Truchon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author weaves an interesting story full of action and intrigue. You will pull for the Espy, the heroine, and her team. Like the first book in the series, this one grabbed me from the start and never let up. Looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This storyline held my attention throughout.

[Arrowhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense and excitement

Suspense, a real page turner. So much information if not (hopefully) fiction. A great read from the moment you open the first page.

[Marlena]

Not my usual genre but fun to try out something new! Clean and propulsive writing style definitely works well for a thriller. Many thanks for the giveaway

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this boxset as a part of the Goodreads giveaway.
I have enjoyed this series and am looking forward to the 3rd installment. Let’s see what Espy can get herself into next.