For Detective Jake Daggers, 'formal attire' means spritzing his leather jacket with cologne, so when a prospective vice case calls for a tuxedo, he's understandably hesitant. But the thrill of high stakes poker and an all-expenses-paid trip on a luxury cruise liner beckon--as does the possibility of spending time alone with his beautiful and brilliant half-elf partner, Shay Steele.
Unfortunately, things are never what they seem... No sooner have Daggers and Steele set sail than the supposedly simple vice case takes a decidedly deadly turn.
Now they must battle on two fronts, trying to uncover a poker cheat while unraveling a tangled web of murder and lies. With suspects cropping up at every turn, a straightforward conclusion may not be in the cards. For Daggers and Steele to have any hope of building a winning hand, they'll have to swallow their fears and remain STEELE-FACED.
Hi! I'm mystery, fantasy, and science fiction author Alex P. Berg. Be sure to check out my bestselling Daggers & Steele series, a fun, fast-paced fantasy/noir mystery hybrid! I've also written urban fantasy, epic sci-fi, and more.
My review rating system is as follows: 5 = Amazing, I absolutely loved it! (Fantastic!) 4 = A very good book, although I had a few quibbles with it. (Great!) 3 = A book I liked, but either it had a few more serious problems or I didn't connect well with it. (Good!) 2 = I had major issues with this book. (Not good...) 1 = I hated or DNF'ed this book. (Real bad!)
It was good, but a little slow in the middle. I like the characters, so it was enjoyable, but just not the best in the series. Looking forward to the next one though.
The sixth Daggers and Steele novel, Steele-Faced, is a breath of fresh air in what was already a vastly entertaining series, and I think it's the best in the series to this point.
Whereas the first five books in the series started with a dead body, this installment begins with Daggers and Steele -- homicide cops -- out of their element. An undercover sting, with shades of Casino Royale, leaving our titular heroes scrambling for formal wear and entering a world they're ill prepared for.
And yet... they manage as only they can.
Murder does rear its ugly head, but at its core, Steele-Faced is a great change of pace for this series. Alex P. Berg continues to show his deft touch at language, and whereas the progression of Daggers and Steele's relationship largely occurred "off-screen" in previous books, this one finds the latest step front-and-center.
At this point, it was no longer a case of "will they/won't they," it was more "when will they?"
As undercover poker capers go, this is largely standard fare, but this isn't the sort of series you read because you're looking for the never-done-before twist. This is a series you read because it's fun, entertaining as hell, and you enjoying spending a few hours with Jake Daggers and Shay Steele. In that measure, Berg again turns in a rousing success -- and to this point, the best in the series.
Another good story in a different kind of genre. The gambling ship aspect really made an interesting backdrop to both the mystery and the relationship of Daggers & Steele. cant wait to see where the author goes next with these characters.
*Steele Faced* by Alex P. Berg was fantastic—definitely the most enjoyable book in the series for me so far. The premise leaned more into undercover operations, allowing us to see the characters outside their usual settings, which was really well executed.
One of the aspects I truly appreciated was how natural the characters felt. They seemed more in tune with themselves, and their interactions—both in dialogue and action—felt authentic rather than forced.
The book was so engaging that when I reached the final chapters, even though it was already 1:00 in the morning, I couldn’t stop—I just had to finish it! Without a doubt, *Steele Faced* is a highly recommended read.
The latest and best in the series! Keeps getting better.
This series has it all for lovers of urban fantasy, set in an alternate earth like reality based on steam-punk. Throw in the detective murder mystery angle with a healthy dash of humor- well... You have the perfect read! At least for me. The relationship of the two main characters has been wonderfully built up through each book- and that as much as anything keeps me coming back for more.