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Detective Inspector Declan Walsh #24
His Dead Man's Hand
“The house always wins…”
When builders strip back the foundations of a former gentlemen’s club casino in the City of London, they uncover a hidden basement — and a corpse that’s been waiting a decade to be found; D.Q. James, an American poker legend who disappeared at the height of his fame. But behind the glamour of high-stakes tables and velvet ropes was a man who thrived on risk — extravagant spending, affairs with rivals’ wives, and enemies in every corner of the game.
As DCI Declan Walsh and the Temple Inn team dig into James’ final days, the list of motives grows with every turn of the card. But while the case pushes deeper into London’s poker underworld, an old Hendon friend of Sergeant Morten De’Geer turns up, dragging a personal problem into the very heart of the case.
In a world where grudges run deep and every player is bluffing, Declan must work out who played the winning hand…
Before the past deals another body.
When builders strip back the foundations of a former gentlemen’s club casino in the City of London, they uncover a hidden basement — and a corpse that’s been waiting a decade to be found; D.Q. James, an American poker legend who disappeared at the height of his fame. But behind the glamour of high-stakes tables and velvet ropes was a man who thrived on risk — extravagant spending, affairs with rivals’ wives, and enemies in every corner of the game.
As DCI Declan Walsh and the Temple Inn team dig into James’ final days, the list of motives grows with every turn of the card. But while the case pushes deeper into London’s poker underworld, an old Hendon friend of Sergeant Morten De’Geer turns up, dragging a personal problem into the very heart of the case.
In a world where grudges run deep and every player is bluffing, Declan must work out who played the winning hand…
Before the past deals another body.
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2025
594 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
76 books242 followersJack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 21, 2026
I normally enjoy the Declan Walsh books but I found this one a struggle and found I really didn’t care about the person who was murdered or why!
January 4, 2026
Pretty decent
Convoluted as usual, but interesting The motivations were more interesting than the actual case. One more and I will have read all the Dylan Walsh tales available.
Convoluted as usual, but interesting The motivations were more interesting than the actual case. One more and I will have read all the Dylan Walsh tales available.
January 10, 2026
I'm a big fan of Jack Gatland's (Tony Lee) books. I was exposed first to the DI Declan Walsh series and the small City of London police unit (the Last Chance Saloon) of which he is part, and I'm still reading them. "His Dead Man's Hand" is the 24th, and it's just as good a read as the first twenty-three.
By now, fellow readers of the series and I know all of the regulars extremely well. We know the foibles and follies that have brought each of them to this point in their lives, and we know how each of them fits into the bigger picture. That means we're comfortable with the plot and the standard characters without the author having to retell all of the details. In #24, Gatland skips all of that stuff and jumps right into the plot.
That's great for regular readers, but it also means this is not a good starting point for readers new to the Last Chance Saloon. So, fellow readers, don't start with this story. Go back and start at the beginning. If you, as I am, are a devotee of Gatland's work, jump right in. You'll love it.
By now, fellow readers of the series and I know all of the regulars extremely well. We know the foibles and follies that have brought each of them to this point in their lives, and we know how each of them fits into the bigger picture. That means we're comfortable with the plot and the standard characters without the author having to retell all of the details. In #24, Gatland skips all of that stuff and jumps right into the plot.
That's great for regular readers, but it also means this is not a good starting point for readers new to the Last Chance Saloon. So, fellow readers, don't start with this story. Go back and start at the beginning. If you, as I am, are a devotee of Gatland's work, jump right in. You'll love it.
January 17, 2026
Straying Far From Origins
Declan Walsh seems to have become a bit player in what has become the ‘DS Monroe Series’ which is a little aggravating since the Monroe character is himself annoying, particularly with the awful, local idioms.
It would also be nice to have a story that doesn’t involve the London mob families for a change.
Declan Walsh seems to have become a bit player in what has become the ‘DS Monroe Series’ which is a little aggravating since the Monroe character is himself annoying, particularly with the awful, local idioms.
It would also be nice to have a story that doesn’t involve the London mob families for a change.
January 26, 2026
Declan and the Last Chance Saloon investigate a dead man found walked into the basement of an old casino. The man is believed to be an infamous poker legend, missing for 15 years and believed to have run off with half a million dollars in Triad diamonds. The mystery is full of twists and turns, and Johnny Lucas is heavily involved in the story. Well done. I can’t wait for the next one.
December 14, 2025
Good
In fact good enough for me to read it straight through. Over long as is usual today, but I understand this is a publisher's decision, so we can be charged double for what we didn't need, and that does nothing but degrade the tale.
In fact good enough for me to read it straight through. Over long as is usual today, but I understand this is a publisher's decision, so we can be charged double for what we didn't need, and that does nothing but degrade the tale.
December 20, 2025
one of the best book i read this year full of twists abd turn was nice to see declan and the gang workong together again.
December 20, 2025
great
I always enjoy every one of the Declan Walsh stories with all the different characters and the quirky nature of them.
I always enjoy every one of the Declan Walsh stories with all the different characters and the quirky nature of them.
December 25, 2025
Another great book in the series
December 31, 2025
Great series
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
I have really enjoyed this series of books and the characters are credible and developing. I look forward to the next one.
January 11, 2026
No.
It was hard to follow and it was difficult to recognise who was who.
Slow moving and boring. It was difficult to keep reading it.
It was hard to follow and it was difficult to recognise who was who.
Slow moving and boring. It was difficult to keep reading it.
January 15, 2026
Excellent read
Another great Last Chance Saloon novel with a great story and the usual twists & turns in the plot we have come to expect and thoroughly enjoy!
Another great Last Chance Saloon novel with a great story and the usual twists & turns in the plot we have come to expect and thoroughly enjoy!
January 22, 2026
Truly awful
I've rarely read a book as bad as this. The author has run out of ideas and needs either new plots or to stop writing.
I've rarely read a book as bad as this. The author has run out of ideas and needs either new plots or to stop writing.
January 24, 2026
Brilliant
I love all Declan Walsh books there is funny,serious and twists. I would recommend this book and the series to anyone who enjoys detective stories.
I love all Declan Walsh books there is funny,serious and twists. I would recommend this book and the series to anyone who enjoys detective stories.
December 12, 2025
His Dead Man’s Hand by Jack Gatland is book 24 in the DCI Declan Walsh series. An old casino in Mayfair is being developed into luxury apartments. The Harrison Casino had a history of high-stakes games and dangerous players. The Casino held lots of secrets and one of those was revealed when a false wall in the basement is knocked down. It is passed to DCI Declan Walsh and his Last Chance Saloon to investigate. This is a very well-researched story, as are all this author’s books. It is a complex and fascinating story and kept me engrossed. The tension builds continually, and the action is there at the end. The characters add so much to the story too with their own quirks and specialties. This is such an exciting read. I always look forward to a new book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews