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Winning Hand
Winning Hand is the 40th book in the Dev Haskell Private Investigator series. Billy Kruger, an old friend of Dev's finds him in The Spot Bar. It turns out Billy's nine year old son found a shoulder bag with two bullet holes and $64,000 in cash, all wrapped up bundle's of twenty dollar bills. Dev's pal, Billy isn't sure what to do with it, but Dev has some ideas... Things get pretty crazy from there. Of course Tubby Gustafson is involved, but amazingly, in a positive way. Dev get's in touch with a P.I. pal, Luther Harris, for some added support as things begin to get more than a little crazy. Better grab a copy and check it out.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 16, 2025
46 people are currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Mike Faricy
131 books240 followersI was born in St. Paul, Minnesota, I still live there as well as in Dublin, Ireland. I've been a soldier, freelance journalist, tended bar, sold designer cakes, owned a painting and decorating company along with a number of other schemes and scams. If that doesn't offend you I also play bagpipes with the Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band. All my books stand alone, read them in whatever order you wish. They are filled with the sort of oddballs we are all curious about, but wisely, prefer to keep at a distance. None of my characters will be saving the world from terrorism, international banking conspiracies or coups to take over the government. Rather, they inhabit a world just below the surface of polite society, characters with one foot on either side of the law. The circumstances they find themselves in are usually due to bad decisions, but bad decisions lead to interesting stories. They serve not so much as an example but as a warning to us all. Thanks for taking the time, happy reading.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 23, 2025
Winning Hand is the 40th book in the Dev Haskell Private Investigator series. These can be read out of order, so don’t let the number put you off.
This time, PI Dev Haskell of St. Paul, Minnesota, is drawn into the action when an old friend finds him at The Spot Bar, his favorite hangout. The friend’s nine-year-old son found a shoulder bag with two bullet holes and $64,000 in bundled $20 bills. The friend is looking for advice on what to do with all that cash. Dev steps in to help figure out what to do with the money (and keep the kid and his family safe) and, of course, finds a lot more than he bargained for.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It held my interest all the way through, kept me entertained at the gym, and up late at night to finish it. This series is pure, entertaining fun and I’m always happy when a new one is published. Dev is the typical PI - a reprobate with a heart of gold, a quick wit, a smart mouth, and a dogged desire to find the truth while staying on top of his flip flops – who ultimately wants what’s best for his clients and will do what he has to do to get them the answers they need. The plot moves along briskly, the dialogue is often funny, and the case entertaining. I look forward to the next entry in this series.
Faricy also writes the Hotshot Series (read in order); the Jack Dillon Dublin Tales (my personal favorite; read in any order); and the Corridor Man Series (read in order).
This time, PI Dev Haskell of St. Paul, Minnesota, is drawn into the action when an old friend finds him at The Spot Bar, his favorite hangout. The friend’s nine-year-old son found a shoulder bag with two bullet holes and $64,000 in bundled $20 bills. The friend is looking for advice on what to do with all that cash. Dev steps in to help figure out what to do with the money (and keep the kid and his family safe) and, of course, finds a lot more than he bargained for.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It held my interest all the way through, kept me entertained at the gym, and up late at night to finish it. This series is pure, entertaining fun and I’m always happy when a new one is published. Dev is the typical PI - a reprobate with a heart of gold, a quick wit, a smart mouth, and a dogged desire to find the truth while staying on top of his flip flops – who ultimately wants what’s best for his clients and will do what he has to do to get them the answers they need. The plot moves along briskly, the dialogue is often funny, and the case entertaining. I look forward to the next entry in this series.
Faricy also writes the Hotshot Series (read in order); the Jack Dillon Dublin Tales (my personal favorite; read in any order); and the Corridor Man Series (read in order).
December 7, 2025
Winning Hand, by prolific and veteran mystery writer Mike Faricy, has everything that the novice mystery reader is looking for, as well as for long-time readers. Faricy knows how to tell a story, combining his lovable recurring characters, office mate Louie, his attorney, and Tubby Gustafson, the well-known local gangster, for whom Dev Haskell, our intrepid Private Eye and protagonist, is obligated to for many years to come.
Winning Hand finds Tubby reaching out to Dev to find the money and the guest who had misplaced it. The problem is that Tubby wants to use this guest as a professional card player as a partner and model in an ongoing monthly large-stakes poker game, where you can be sure Tubby will make plenty of money, as will anybody associated with Tubby and his gang.
The plot has Dev, our Private Eye, trying to locate the missing money, the person who lost it, and a slew of others you wouldn't want seen with. Combine this plot with amusing dialogue spoken by Dev, his on and off girlfriends, mostly off, his source at the Police Department, and Louie, and you have a winning novel by an author who gives his all every time to make readers laugh and want more of Dev and his theatrics.
Winning Hand finds Tubby reaching out to Dev to find the money and the guest who had misplaced it. The problem is that Tubby wants to use this guest as a professional card player as a partner and model in an ongoing monthly large-stakes poker game, where you can be sure Tubby will make plenty of money, as will anybody associated with Tubby and his gang.
The plot has Dev, our Private Eye, trying to locate the missing money, the person who lost it, and a slew of others you wouldn't want seen with. Combine this plot with amusing dialogue spoken by Dev, his on and off girlfriends, mostly off, his source at the Police Department, and Louie, and you have a winning novel by an author who gives his all every time to make readers laugh and want more of Dev and his theatrics.
November 30, 2025
Dev finds himself in front of Tubby Gustafson with an order to find the winner of a three day poker contest that has gone missing.
A bicycle ride in the park turns up more than $64k in a satchel with bullet holes.
A floating body arises adding to the mystery of the missing winner.
Being dragged to Tubby’s mansion by Fat Freddy is Dev’s least favorite thing to do.
However this time Dev takes himself to Tubby’s with information and answers that make Dev the winner of this hand.
Beautiful women, too much wine, gangsters and goons make this read unputdownable!
Mike Faricy books are number one on my must read list.
A bicycle ride in the park turns up more than $64k in a satchel with bullet holes.
A floating body arises adding to the mystery of the missing winner.
Being dragged to Tubby’s mansion by Fat Freddy is Dev’s least favorite thing to do.
However this time Dev takes himself to Tubby’s with information and answers that make Dev the winner of this hand.
Beautiful women, too much wine, gangsters and goons make this read unputdownable!
Mike Faricy books are number one on my must read list.
November 26, 2025
Hassle might be a pain to a certain gambler, and maybe his morals are a little lose, but he sure does know how to investigate a case. This one is "heavy" with Tubby Gustafson. The grand prize winner of his legal poker tournament is missing along with the cash. Bad guys are coming out of the woodwork and the dead guy in the river isn't who they thought. The focus of Dev's investigation keeps shifting. 40 books in and they are still as entertaining as ever.
November 19, 2025
Dev does it again! I want to be just like him when I grow up!
As always Dev does the heavy lifting and only gets a thank you from Tubby…..well that beats what he usually gets from Tubby and his gang!
As always Dev does the heavy lifting and only gets a thank you from Tubby…..well that beats what he usually gets from Tubby and his gang!
November 21, 2025
Dev being Dev means we have a Winner of a story. Throw in a found $64,000, Morton, Lewis, Tubby Gustafson and Fat Freddy for comic relief, then we have another wild adventure you can't turn away from. Mike, I'm waiting for # 41. Awesome. Highly Recommended.
November 23, 2025
Usual great Faricy book!
Once again Dev Haskell has entertained me with his daily, usual routines with splotches of excitement and unexpected thrills which keep me coming back to this series by Mr Faricy!
Once again Dev Haskell has entertained me with his daily, usual routines with splotches of excitement and unexpected thrills which keep me coming back to this series by Mr Faricy!
December 10, 2025
Great read
I like to read Mike's books, they are always hard to put down. I have read all the Dev Haskell and Jack Dillon series and most of Yucky Yates. I have also read most of his the Corridor Man books and starting the Hotshot series. Great writer.
I like to read Mike's books, they are always hard to put down. I have read all the Dev Haskell and Jack Dillon series and most of Yucky Yates. I have also read most of his the Corridor Man books and starting the Hotshot series. Great writer.
November 18, 2025
Money found - owner unknown, but feared injured or dead. Dev has his hands full unraveling this one!
November 25, 2025
Great book
As always, this Dev Haskell book was fun and interesting. I have loved each one and am looking forward to the next one.
As always, this Dev Haskell book was fun and interesting. I have loved each one and am looking forward to the next one.
November 26, 2025
Gamble Win
Another Dev Haskell winner. I couldn't put this book down. I thought I had it all figured out till the end, lol. Can't wait for the next one!
Another Dev Haskell winner. I couldn't put this book down. I thought I had it all figured out till the end, lol. Can't wait for the next one!
December 30, 2025
Fantastic
I loved this book. Dev and friends get roped into a hot mess complements of Tubby Gustafson. Read on to see if they all stay sane.
I loved this book. Dev and friends get roped into a hot mess complements of Tubby Gustafson. Read on to see if they all stay sane.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews