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Roy Ballard Mysteries #7
Better To Be Lucky
The trouble at Norman Conlee's lakeside estate begins when vandals topple and destroy an expensive Italian fountain. Then they slash the tires and damage the paint job on a Jaguar. That’s when Roy Ballard's client, the insurance company, asks him to catch the vandal in the act and prevent future claims. Surprisingly, the homeowner, Norman Conlee, opposes the idea. He intends to address the problem himself by fencing the property and keeping his revolver handy. Eventually, though, he gives in, and Roy goes to work. It’s not long before the case escalates in a way nobody saw coming. Roy will need some luck to close this case before he winds up a victim himself.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 13, 2020
255 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Ben Rehder
76 books276 followersBen Rehder wanted to become a writer ever since he was dropped on his head as a toddler. As he grew into a young adult and the vertigo gradually dissipated, his passion for literature grew. Ben longed to craft the type of soul-stirring prose that would touch people’s lives and help them explore new emotional horizons. But he went to work at an ad agency instead.
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 18, 2021
This, the seventh Roy Ballard mystery was similar to the first six. This episode didn't seem to have the same level of witty dialog as the previous episodes had. Maybe I'm just used to Roy's dialog and jokes and so don't find them as laugh-out-loud funny as I used to. This episode did have some of the same witty comebacks but the mystery was fairly easy to guess. Unlike his earlier Roy Ballard stories where the guilty party was something of a surprise at the end.
I was glad to see that Mia has come back and I hope they stay together as a couple as well as business partners.
In spite of my criticisms I still enjoyed this story and plan to continue to read them as they are published.
I was glad to see that Mia has come back and I hope they stay together as a couple as well as business partners.
In spite of my criticisms I still enjoyed this story and plan to continue to read them as they are published.
May 23, 2021
It is so good have Roy Ballard Back. In this book he has a new case which soon spirals into a messy situation involving murder, blackmail, and a whole load of other trouble.
Mia is a much more peripheral character in this story and I think the investigation misses her but she is still recovering from the events of the previous books and they are no longer together.
Johnny Peppers does a great job with the narration bringing a wonderful modern noir experience to us the listener and excelling at it.
I did enjoy this story and would recommend it, although start at the beginning of the series if you haven't read them, it will stop any spoilers.
I am looking forward to the next in the series.
Mia is a much more peripheral character in this story and I think the investigation misses her but she is still recovering from the events of the previous books and they are no longer together.
Johnny Peppers does a great job with the narration bringing a wonderful modern noir experience to us the listener and excelling at it.
I did enjoy this story and would recommend it, although start at the beginning of the series if you haven't read them, it will stop any spoilers.
I am looking forward to the next in the series.
December 23, 2020
Roy is on his own on this one as Mia works out her anxieties. This is a vandalism case in a gated neighborhood. Someone has trash a water fountain at Norman and Evelyn's estate, and slashed their tires. Then, Norman gets shot and there are plenty of suspects. Ballard gets warned off, but that never works with him. This aligns very well with the other Roy Ballard Mysteries, with plenty of action and a surprise ending.
June 21, 2021
Audiobook review
I love these!
Roy is a good character & the stories just keep going.
I’ve listened to them all & look forward to them each time.
Narrator was great, always is.
I love these!
Roy is a good character & the stories just keep going.
I’ve listened to them all & look forward to them each time.
Narrator was great, always is.
June 7, 2021
I loved this the latest book in the Roy Ballard mysteries. With the dynamics at the beginning of the book totally changed I was wondering what would happen. But like all the other books, the story soon had you hooked with numerous twists and turns and a host of baddies out for revenge. A case of vandalism soon turns into something much more serious and Roy is in the thick of it again. The ending was great and I'm really looking forward to the next in the series. Great narration as always.
September 8, 2022
Sorry this book just wasn't for me. I have listened all the books by this author and have usually loved them but this book I struggled to finish. There was just to many characters for me to keep them all striaght and it just seemed very slow. I also felt that the humour and normal banter between the characters was missing. I did like Roy's new girl friend and the banter between them which was a high light of the story but as the author kept breaking up the mystery with counselling sessions with Mia, I kind of knew where it was going to go. Roy is still capable of solving cases and a great main character. I guess I just missed Mia. The author did mange to surprise me with the unusual ending and I certainly didn't see that coming
Roy is hired to find out who is vandalizing property by the insurance company. Instead he gets caught up in a mixer investigation when the home owner is killed. With a number of suspects Roy and his trusty camera will have his work cut out for him, especially after separating with Mia. Can be go it alone and find the killer?
The narrator was okay but I am not sure if his voice got a bit monotonous which was why I struggled to follow along. He is usually very good and think it was more me than him.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Roy is hired to find out who is vandalizing property by the insurance company. Instead he gets caught up in a mixer investigation when the home owner is killed. With a number of suspects Roy and his trusty camera will have his work cut out for him, especially after separating with Mia. Can be go it alone and find the killer?
The narrator was okay but I am not sure if his voice got a bit monotonous which was why I struggled to follow along. He is usually very good and think it was more me than him.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
June 10, 2021
Another day and another dollar, Norman Conlee owns a nice large house in the best part of the neighbourhood, but vandals have destroyed an expensive Italian fountain and Roy has been tasked by the insurance company to see if it's genuine or if the insurance company is being ripped off. Norman Conlee is not the Mr Nice Guy and does everything in his power to oppose Roy trying to catch these vandals in the act, makes you wonder if he's got anything to do with it and his wife in a wheelchair you would think he might have given her a bit more thought and more about her needs, he also has his niece on his wife's side living in and a boyfriend who may or may not have a dark side some nasty piece of work.
Norman does come to a sticky end, so not plain sailing Roy has to work hard and fast and without Mia giving a hand as their last job together took it out of her and she ended up seeing a therapist, does it help only Mia can tell, but she does still keep in contact with Roy and you never know, and in the end, she has decided to give it another go, just love this series. As always the narrations by Johnny Peppers is superb
Norman does come to a sticky end, so not plain sailing Roy has to work hard and fast and without Mia giving a hand as their last job together took it out of her and she ended up seeing a therapist, does it help only Mia can tell, but she does still keep in contact with Roy and you never know, and in the end, she has decided to give it another go, just love this series. As always the narrations by Johnny Peppers is superb
March 17, 2022
A new book from Ben Rehder is a like a visit from an old friend.
The truly wonderful thing about this book is that the ending went in a different direction than expected. It wouldn't be fair to call it a twist. I mean, it's a mystery story. There's always going to be some sort of twist.
No, the ending here reflected the narrator's point of view -- which changed over the course of the novel (and for that matter, the whole Roy Ballard series). Readers often demand that every detail in a mystery be accounted for, that everything be tidied up and tallied. In this book, Rehder bravely failed to do that. Don't be afraid, though. Life, like the ending of this book, isn't always neat and tidy. It's complicated.
I always anxiously await the next Roy Ballard book. After reading Better To Be Lucky, I can't wait to see what comes next.
The truly wonderful thing about this book is that the ending went in a different direction than expected. It wouldn't be fair to call it a twist. I mean, it's a mystery story. There's always going to be some sort of twist.
No, the ending here reflected the narrator's point of view -- which changed over the course of the novel (and for that matter, the whole Roy Ballard series). Readers often demand that every detail in a mystery be accounted for, that everything be tidied up and tallied. In this book, Rehder bravely failed to do that. Don't be afraid, though. Life, like the ending of this book, isn't always neat and tidy. It's complicated.
I always anxiously await the next Roy Ballard book. After reading Better To Be Lucky, I can't wait to see what comes next.
May 25, 2021
Having listened to Roy Ballard books 1 - 6 in quick succession, the wait for book 7 seemed so long! I was desperate to discover what would happen to Roy and Mia. Mr Rehder played with my emotions. One moment I was heartbroken, then I was laughing at Roy's quick, dry wit and then worried for his safety. Another seemingly every day case went sideways and there were all kinds of vermin crawling out of the woodwork. Just when you think everything is sorted, Mr Rehder throws a curve ball and now I'm hankering after book 8. Another excellent performance from Johnny Peppers is the cherry on top of this delicious offering. Congratulations all round.
May 23, 2021
I've listened to all the Roy Ballard books and this for me was on par if not better than the last few books. The same humour but without partner Mia in tow. Rounded, believable and wonderfully narrated by Johnny Peppers.
Can be read as a standalone too.
Now when can I have the next installment? 5/5 for me.
Can be read as a standalone too.
Now when can I have the next installment? 5/5 for me.
May 27, 2021
AUDIOBOOK
Loved it loved it loved it. Does not disappoint again and it was a really exciting case this time and I loved Roy’s usual distain for people and his ability to always get himself into trouble. I was really pleased with the ending as I was starting to get worried. Can’t wait for the next book.
Loved it loved it loved it. Does not disappoint again and it was a really exciting case this time and I loved Roy’s usual distain for people and his ability to always get himself into trouble. I was really pleased with the ending as I was starting to get worried. Can’t wait for the next book.
July 19, 2021
The books from this series are never disappointing. This one was another great book from start to end. I love the whodunnit and the humor that comes along throughout the story. It’s never dull and always entertaining. If you’re new to this series, I would suggest starting at the beginning if you can.
November 9, 2025
A little more tense then the past installments but I haven’t left the tribe. I’m in this for Roy and Mia. Their interactions are the pull I crave. It’s the bait that keeps me reading. The mystery is secondary. Funny thing is Ben Rehder creates characters that are sometimes dumb as doorbells. Just like in real life, so these never get old.
December 19, 2020
Right on target!
I have always liked the Roy Ballard series for its suspense coupled with wit and humor. This one nailed it. Quirky characters, plot within a plot, and wondering til the end who did what to whom. Excellent again, and the one liners by Roy are priceless.
I have always liked the Roy Ballard series for its suspense coupled with wit and humor. This one nailed it. Quirky characters, plot within a plot, and wondering til the end who did what to whom. Excellent again, and the one liners by Roy are priceless.
January 4, 2021
Another great read
Rehder just keeps them coming. I hated for this one to end because now I have to wait for his next. Will it be Billy Don and Red or Roy? Either way I hope he hurries. I've already started waiting!
Rehder just keeps them coming. I hated for this one to end because now I have to wait for his next. Will it be Billy Don and Red or Roy? Either way I hope he hurries. I've already started waiting!
May 4, 2021
Great!
Every book about Roy is so enjoyable. He is so funny and endearing. I am so happy to see that Mia is back. I hope it works out. But I am glad that he and Scarlett got together for a while. She was good for him.
Every book about Roy is so enjoyable. He is so funny and endearing. I am so happy to see that Mia is back. I hope it works out. But I am glad that he and Scarlett got together for a while. She was good for him.
July 14, 2022
Roy Ballard is an interesting character .
I always enjoyed the Blanco County books but had read all of them so started on the Roy Ballard mysteries. They are great too. Now I'm rereading Blanco County books again.
I always enjoyed the Blanco County books but had read all of them so started on the Roy Ballard mysteries. They are great too. Now I'm rereading Blanco County books again.
January 5, 2023
I loved this audiobook. The murder mystery is complicated and intriguing.I Iike mysteries that keep me guessing until the end, which this book delivers. Johnny Peppers does a great job with the narration and voices bringing this book to life.
December 19, 2020
Always good to get another Roy book, I like this series.
January 20, 2021
Fantastic
Another great entry in one of my favorite series. Mr Rehder always delivers a great story. Ready for the next one!
Another great entry in one of my favorite series. Mr Rehder always delivers a great story. Ready for the next one!
May 2, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. The hero is believable and human. The plot was interesting with a number of different characters. His history with Mia could be felt along with his hurt.
May 9, 2021
Terrific mystery
A great mystery. Lots of plot twists and terrific character development. I enjoy the Roy Ballard character. He's my kind of smart ass.
A great mystery. Lots of plot twists and terrific character development. I enjoy the Roy Ballard character. He's my kind of smart ass.
June 22, 2024
Good book. I always enjoy the sense of humor of Roy Ballard. I rate this book 4.6 stars.
August 18, 2024
This book seems to jump around a little more than some of his other books which is why I gave it a lower rating.
June 10, 2025
A little disappointing.
October 10, 2025
Really enjoyed this series. Roy Ballard's Grade A snark runs throughout the book. Good story, fun characters.
December 22, 2025
awesome
Interesting characters. Easy to read eve with a lot of different characters. Cannot wait to read more about Roy and Mia’s adventures
Interesting characters. Easy to read eve with a lot of different characters. Cannot wait to read more about Roy and Mia’s adventures
June 1, 2022
I really enjoy this series.
July 30, 2021
Okay
But it was slow, never held my attention making putting it down and coming back when ever easy to do. One plus. Guess is I got some other task completed
But it was slow, never held my attention making putting it down and coming back when ever easy to do. One plus. Guess is I got some other task completed
December 1, 2025
Better to be lucky than Roy Ballard Mysteries #7 3/5 7 hours & 50 minutes 4/5 by Ben Rehner
This is book 7 in the Roy Ballard series. The audiobook narrator is excellent. Johnny Peppers does an incredible job. Ben Rehner has become one of my favorite authors I finished this audiobook in about 5 days. It's one of those. I will just listen to one more chapter book.
We are back in Austin, TX, with our favorite videographer who has a new case to solve. This Roy case starts with Norman Conlee's home, and to see if Roy can catch the vandal who expensive Italian fountain & slashed tires. But when Norman ends up dead, the case takes on a whole different level. Who is it killed him? This story takes a variety of twists and turns. I loved the ending. Didn't see that coming at all. I did miss the banter of Mia & Roy, but I do understand that in this series why she wasn't there. Hopefully, for book 8, Mia will be back.
This is book 7 in the Roy Ballard series. The audiobook narrator is excellent. Johnny Peppers does an incredible job. Ben Rehner has become one of my favorite authors I finished this audiobook in about 5 days. It's one of those. I will just listen to one more chapter book.
We are back in Austin, TX, with our favorite videographer who has a new case to solve. This Roy case starts with Norman Conlee's home, and to see if Roy can catch the vandal who expensive Italian fountain & slashed tires. But when Norman ends up dead, the case takes on a whole different level. Who is it killed him? This story takes a variety of twists and turns. I loved the ending. Didn't see that coming at all. I did miss the banter of Mia & Roy, but I do understand that in this series why she wasn't there. Hopefully, for book 8, Mia will be back.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews