Burke's Gamble

Bob Burke Action Thriller #2

by William F. Brown

Bob Burke is back! Welcome to ‘American Sniper’ meets ‘The Godfather,’ Round #2, or Bob Lee Swagger takes on the New York City mob. It is another suspense action thriller from an author with over 500 Five-Star Kindle ratings on 8 Kindle E-Books. Last year’s Burke’s War has 4.5 stars on 171 reviews. In it, Bob Burke witnesses a woman being murdered, and ends up butting heads with the Chicago Mob. In Burke’s Gamble, one of his old friends is thrown out a fifth story window in an Atlantic City casino run by New York City’s infamous Genovese and Lucchese mob families. Someone’s going to answer, and payback’s going to be a hoot! Slight of build and easy to dismiss, Bob Burke now runs a sophisticated telecommunications company and is often mistakenly called ‘the telephone guy.’ But as a highly-decorated. West Point ‘ring knocker,’ and former Army Ranger and Delta Force commander, he spent four tours in Iraq and the rugged mountains of Afghanistan running ‘special operations’ missions. He and his former sergeants are some of the most lethal killers the US government ever produced, and they don’t take kindly to one of their own being murdered. This time, it will not be a simple ‘Gumbah’ hunt with sniper rifles in a Chicago Forest preserve. The target is a Mafia Don holed up in the penthouse of a large hotel casino complex in Atlantic City, backed up by a dozen of his own gunmen plus, an elite team of foreign Special Operations mercenaries brought in to take down Bob Burke and his men. While there’s always a place for a Barrett .50-caliber sniper rifle, this time, in addition to his own Delta Force sergeants, Bob calls on two baby-faced computer Geeks, a three-star Army General, a Chicago police detective, a female Air Force Captain, Bob’s new wife, a Russian computer programmer, and one of the world’s best pickpockets on an overnight.’ pass from Cook County Jail. From stealth helicopters to luxury yachts, and bodies in 55-gallon oil drums, the action is non-stop. This time, Bob and his ’s Merry Band of Rascals aren’t going to shoot it out with them, they’re going to take the Mob’s money, all of it!

If you like a good murder mystery suspense thriller, put this fast-moving Bob Burke series Delta Force action adventure novel into your Cart. It is another war and military best seller novel from the author of “Burke’s War,’ ‘The Undertaker,’ ‘Amongst My Enemies,’ ‘Thursday at Noon,’ “Aim True, My Brothers,’ ‘Winner Lose All,’ and ‘Cold War Trilogy.’ Enjoy!

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

391 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2016

About the author

I live in Florida. As a Vice President of the real estate subsidiary of a Fortune 500 corporation, I traveled widely in the US and abroad. A native of Chicago, I earned a BA in History and Russian Area Studies and a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of Illinois. (Go Illini!) I’ve been active in politics (I had the stupidity to run and the misfortune to win a -year seat on a County Board of Supervisors) (more hard time than you’d get for armed robbery, car theft, or embezzlement in most states!) and active in numerous civic organizations. I served in the US Army and was a company commander and drug counselor. (The only two places in the country that teach leadership and organizational management are the Boy Scouts and the Army) When I’m not writing, I like to play golf (usually poorly) paint landscapes in oil or acrylics and running 5Ks. (slower every year) .

My wife and I have traveled extensively in Germany, Russia, the Caribbean, England, Ireland, Scotland, Poland, Switzerland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, Austria, Italy, Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Egypt, and Israel.

Reviews

[Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book a few years ago as an e-book. Thanks to Audible and the author for sending me a free download in exchange for an honest review of the audiobook.

In this sequel to Burke’s War, one of Bob Burke’s old friends is thrown out of a fifth story window in an Atlantic City casino run by New York City’s infamous Genovese and Lucchese families. Once again, the former Army Ranger and Delta Force commander puts together a team to get revenge.

Bob Burke is a great character. Physically reminiscent of Chuck Norris, he’s an absolutely lethal force in the body of an unassuming, normal-looking man. In temperament, he’s like Patrick Swayze from Roadhouse: cool, calculating, and nice, until it's time to not be nice. This book adds several entertaining new characters to Bob’s gang of Merry Men, including his wife Linda, a pickpocket, and two hilarious computer programmers.

This book is fast-paced, funny, and never boring. The narrator has a great voice, and does a good job voicing the various characters. Highly recommended.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Burke an ex special ops officer is settling into his role as boss of a telecom company in Chicago when he gets a call from an old team mate who is in trouble in Atlantic city. It seems the mate has over extended himself and is now in over his head in debt to the casino and is hoping to borrow enough to get him out of trouble. Burke responds and when he has to go to a local branch bank to cash a cashiers check things happen back at the casino. His mate is dead, having purportedly fallen from the window of the casino tower. Burke dosen't believe that what happened and thus begins a "war" between Burke and fellow special ops friends and the casino boss and the mobs he reports to.
Plenty of action in this one as Burke and company work o resolve and revenge the death (murder).

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank William F. Brown, author and Goodreads First Reads Giveaway for the eBook Kindle copy of Burke's Gamble that I won in the Giveaway.

Bob Burke tries to help one the men from his old unit with a gambling problem. Vinnie is killed before he gets the money back to the casino where Vinnie is being held. Bob knows it is not a suicide but murder and promises to get even.

He is joined by a group of his Delta Force Black Ops guys as he takes on the mob boss running the big casino for all the branches of the mob across the country. Attempts on his and his wife's life along with Linda, Vinnie's girlfriend start the non-stop action of Burke's Gamble and the new group of friends that band together at their new retreat 'Sherwood Forest' and call themselves Robin Hood and his Merry Men (and Women) plus the attack cat too. If you are looking for an action packed story where the good guys take on almost what seems like insurmountable odds and danger, Burke's Gamble is for you. I loved the story.

[Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can always tell when I'm reading a good book because I am disappointed when the story is over and I have to say "Goodbye" to the characters in it. That was the case with this thriller by Bill Brown. It was refreshing to read a thriller that was not about Islamic terrorists and I commend the author for taking a different approach. Can't wait to read Bob Burke #3.

[Alexandria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this to start with. The first probably third of the book yielded me having to power through it. I don't like not finishing things so it's really are that I actually abandon a book. I did enjoy the twists and turns of the plot for the final 2/3 of the book and there are a few things that panned out in ways I didn't see them going. (Not that I was squinting too hard at it to try to figure things out.) I do like crime novels and thrillers, I just don't feel this is one of the top ones I've read.

I've hemmed and hawed about if I actually write the rest of this review or not but I feel I need to. There WILL be spoilers in this, please be aware. Also be aware this is an opinion.

I see a lot of reviews explaining how the women in this book are strong and great characters. While I do feel that the women are certainly a step up from the paper doll versions of women lots of books in this genre give, they just barely pass the Bechdel test. They do hold conversations that aren't about their romances... sometimes. Mostly it's still convos about their romances though. They are self-aware and do take down some baddies themselves, but they're also still very... I'm not even sure how to put this. They read in a way that makes you feel like they're a caricature of women... that's about as close as I can get to describing that. That being said, it is cool they do take down some bad guys.

I got hung up on some things and just couldn't get my brain past them and kept coming back to them and wincing the whole time. I understand that the way they are portrayed is more than likely the character's views on people, not the author's views. At least I hope. That being said... the gay man is a bad guy. His sexuality is originally referenced in conjunction with his use of escorts, which I could overlook if it wasn't for the tone of it. It felt sort of like 'gay people have to use escorts because dirty'. Definitely could have used a sensitivity reader there. I took a deep breath and told myself, it's okay, move on. I did. I kept going. Later in the book, we then have this same gay man caught in bed with a fifteen year old boy and my entire heart just dropped to my feet. We have the only gay character in the book and he's a monster. Not to mention we then kill the poor kid who's being abused a scene later. I get that the guy is a bad guy, but... just... ugh. It added no depth to anything and just felt like a reason to say gay people are tantamount to monsters. Oh and prior to that we have the main cast find some files on the network of this gay guy with another man and there's a joke that amounts to 'eww' made by one of the characters.

Moving on to the only characters I could identify as being PoC were all bad guys as well... and I just... I find it very hard to move on.

Overall, I feel that the negatives severely detracted from my possible enjoyment of the plot once I got into it. Once my heart dropped to my feet, I couldn't recover from it and to be honest, my attention just wasn't in the rest of the book. I have a very hard time even giving it the stars I have.

My advise if this somehow ever gets read by the author is simple. When you get your editor, also obtain a sensitivity reader. Usually you can find them in Facebook groups for free. If we'd passed the whole lot of it through one, I probably wouldn't be writing this review this way.

[Thomas R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of Burke s Gamble

This is the 2and Book in The Burke Series and it is a combination of Rambo versus Casino and GoodFellas. Burke is now married to Linda and he is running the company of his Ex-Wife s father. One of Burke s former soldier s ( Vinny) has gotten in way over his head at a casino in Atlantic City. Vinnie needs 300 Thousands dollar in 24 hours , his girlfriend Patty who Vinnie met last year and who is close with Linda goes with Burke to bail Vinny out. Unfortunately things go off the Rails and Burke finds himself squaring off with Mafia again. What makes this more dangerous is that the casino is owned and operated by the three oldest Mafia families in New York. Burke enlists his old soldiers from his platoon along with his former Commanding Officer. The author understands the inner workings of the Mafia and the Casino business. The Mafia is an old Conservative Operation and unfortunately the man running the Casino is a modern day well educated man with exotic Sexual Preference s. The author understands the corruption that occurs in war zones like Iraq and how that corruption is more dangerous than the war it's self. The ending was awesome and I look forward to the next book in The series.

[David Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to receive a review copy of the audio book of Burke’s Gamble, and having never read any of the Burke’s series I was a bit hesitant to listen to this second book without the background from Burke’s War. Well my hesitance lasted for about the first 10 minutes of listening and at that point I was hooked and not overly worried about what may have come before this book. Rest assured having ow experienced this action-packed thriller, I’ll be reading/listening to Burke’s War as soon as I can.
Being familiar wit Bill Brown’s writing style from reading/listening to some of his other series I knew his characters would be well developed, believable, and each would have some human flaw/failing. Yep Burke’s Gamble didn’t disappoint in this regard, in fact it didn’t disappoint this listener in any regard, it’s a homerun! The story line is tight, and the action is intense as well as non-stop. Bob Burke is a bad-ass, and I’m now a total fan of this series.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke's Gamble (Burke's War #2) - a review by Rosemary Kenny

(Bob) Burke's War series reaches the second novel in William F. Brown's epic saga, in Burke's War.

From its start in Atlantic City, where inveterate gambler Vinnie loses over $100k to The Strip in Las Vegas, where he gambles away all but $7k of another $100k loan (traded on his Army veteran status), at which point, in desperation, he heads for Caesar's.

Why does Vinnie phone Burke and what's his answer?
What does Shaka Corliss want from Burke?
Who does Burke reach out to at Fort Bragg?

A non-stop, all-action thriller, starring Burke, Linda, Dorothy, Jimmy, Ace and the rest of the Team, as they take on traitorous ex-platoon members, swindling Dutchmen and murderous Mob members, Burke's Gamble is a very apt title for another great William F. Brown, Bob Burke thriller.

Grab your copy as soon as possible and then lock and load for a rip-roaring romp that you're guaranteed to enjoy!

[Jay Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although many of the basic characters are the same, the style of writing makes this a slightly better book than the first Bob Burke book. The continuing relationship between the current and former members of the ops teams provides a standard of loyalty and support that can be found no where else. This story revolves around the death of Vinnie Pastorini at a casino in Atlantic City. Before the story is over Delta Force operators from other countries, Mafia gangsters, new and old lovers, a Three-Star General a killer cat and other strange things come into play as Burke and the team seek to do the right thing for their fallen buddy. Twist and turns, betrayals and violence keep the reader glued into the book. The writing is so good that you want to read it again, even though you know how it turns out.

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"Double Down Vinny strikes again."
After Vinny Pastorini lost a ridiculously large sum of money in an Atlantic City casino, his old army officer went in to sort it out. But Vinny dies, a so called fall from a window. Not their fau!t, said the casino security. They'd rather have had the money. Time for a funeral, then to find out what really happened. An excellent, absorbing action thriller filled with well developed personalities, interesting twists and turns, and fight scenes. Involving different hard hitting groups from the mafia to the military, expect explosive excitement throughout.

Narration was by Derrick Magolski, who gave a good performance which further enhanced the story as a whole in addition to giving even greater substance to each individual character. Great writing, good plot, charismatic characters and an excellent narrator. This was a most enjoyable listen, and one I wholeheartedly recommend to all thri!ler readers who like to be surprised and enjoy a little humour along the way.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his Sergeant,Vince, supposedly commits suicide at a gambling casino in Atlantic City when Burke is paying off his gambling debt something tells Burke "it ain't kosher". Burke see how he fell and realizes he was pushed, he did not fall. Then Vince's girlfriend, Patty was attacked in their home. She was able to shoot and kill one of the attackers and wound another. Now Burke realizes it is not just the Atlantic City, New York and Philly Mobs but some other group is also involved.
The story has excitement, adventure and a group of characters you are bound to like. The author, William Brown has written a great series. This is my second book in the series that I've read and I intend to read the other two books.

[Robert Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Bob Burkes action thriller series with much the same cast as in book one and this time one of their own is killed by being thrown out of a casino window. Again an all action turn of the pages with the build up confrontation at the end with the “good guys” winning the day
Somehow not as enjoyable as the first book as much the same going’s on and build up so didn’t keep my interest the same which was a great shame as i was looking so forward to it after reading “Burkes War” but if you like all action and the bandies getting their just reward then this is still worth a read.

[Janet Graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Unit vs The Mob
This book is the second in a series that is best read in order. Our main character is a retired Delta Force Major, the supporting cast includes everyone he has worked for or with and their spouses, children, his current employees, and so on. The story starts off with a bang and never slows down. It is a white-knuckle page-turner of a thriller. There is not much foul language, but there is violence and sex. It is a captivating action thriller that could happen. Other than believable weapons and electronics, there are no 'Mission Impossible' type gizmos. There are people who are exceptionally good at what they do and the folks who love them.

[Norman Hirschman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wish I could give it a 5*+ but guess I have to settle for a 5*. A humorous, action filled book involving, Delta military types, active and retired plus some civilians and young computer experts working together as a family getting revenge on their own terms for a family member being killed. "Ghost" Burke a retired Delta major loses a former member of his unit and he cannot accept that but can he find out what actually happened in order to get even with those who might be guilty. Not easy and this mission gets even more difficult with some outside variables not expected.

[ShanDizzy · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the bad guys who killed one of Burke’s own, it certainly will not end well.

“No, I’m calling the Vice Chief of Organized Crime for the Chicago Police Department to get a little intelligence information. You ever hear of the Carbonaris, in Atlantic City?”
“Oh, Christ!” Ernie groaned. ”What’d you step in now?”
“Not me. You remember Vinnie?”
“Deadeye Vinnie? He was a fantastic shot with that sniper rifle.”
“Well, now he’s just dead.”
“Dead? Whoa! What happened?”
“Donatello Carbonari says he fell off a fifth-floor ledge trying to climb out a window in the Bimini Bay casino, but I’m not buying it. I think they threw him out.”

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an action-thriller from the start. With a seemingly unlikely protagonist (think: Clark Kent), the story starts with an apparent suicide, then adds military tactics, non-stop action and the Mob to the mix. These components are explosive by themselves, but the story goes further and adds Geeks. All of these make the story a very interesting read. I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I hated for this book too end but I couldn't read it fast enough to satisfy my curiosity about what would happen next. This was none stop action from start to finish. Women, gambling, the mafia and enough bodies litter the pages and would make any man happy to sit down and read this book. I think I have found another good author that writes great action thrillers, I'm going to follow this guy I might even get some free books. Well I can dream can't I?

[MGB · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some people have to learn the hard way that you don’t mess with Bob Burke or anyone he cares about. For some people there is a very short time between the knowledge and the end.

If you like non stop action you will not be disappointed. He has a tight group of friends and they respond in kind when the call goes out.

He has put together a team that can track you around the world. Follow the money and he does.

[Dennis Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second action thriller starring BobBurke

This book was action start to finish. One of Burke’s Delta buddies is thrown through the fifth floor window of a casino in Atlantic City. No one gets away with killing one of his squad. Game on. Couldn’t wait to turn the page. Looking forward to book three. ENJOY!

[Ellen White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Burke is back with another action fast pace story. To help a friend in Atlanta.City, which now looks like murder, he is dealing with the mafia, casino boss. His Delta Force group come and a war is on to prove it was murder of his friend. The narration was superb and added to the story. Given audio for my voluntary review

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. Superb writing. Realistic dialogue and characters that keep you coming back for more. Burke, the protagonist, is a Special Operations killing machine, but he much prefers to punish the bad guys where it hurts if possible. The killing only happens when all else fails. Lots of action and thrills.

[IMHO · Rating 4 out of 5]

RECOMMENDED

Burke's Gamble, Book 2 of the Bob Burke action thrillers,
takes place in Atlantic City where one of his men is murdered.
Now if Burke will go to war for a stranger,
what do you think he will do for a member of the team?

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book. Everyone, once again underestimates the "telephone guy," big mistake. This is an excellent read and is even better than the first book in this series, if that is possible. I recommend it to all.

[Lynette E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second in the series just as good

William F. Brown’s second Bob Burke novel just as good as the first! It’s not always easy to achieve but this is great, the cast of characters and settings even better than before

[Artemis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A complicated plot that keeps you reading...

Brown has mastered this sub-genre weaving together guns, gadgets, gangsters, special ops and sexy women that is thoroughly believable and entertaining. Definitely five stars.

[Milton Louie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Burke heads to Atlantic City to deal with the mob and hired mercenaries. B

[Roy Ringer · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as the first book. Really kept my interest. Can't wait to read book 3. Hopefully more will follow.

[Roger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second very exciting book, recommend consideration

[Joe Vitucci · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is so much action, and most of it is pretty far-fetched. But I still read all of it and kind of enjoyed it, even though a lot of it is ridiculous. I do plan on reading more of his books.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept my attention from the first page to the last