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Dev Haskell Mystery #28
The Big Gamble
Dev Haskell receives a phone call from an old friend. It’s feared Dev’s old high school flame, Maddie McGuire, has fallen through the ice along the Mississippi River and can’t be found. Dev hasn’t seen her since she married ne’er do well, Colton Ferral. After attending the memorial service and reconnecting with her sisters, he comes away with more questions than answers.
Local crime lord, Tubby Gustafson, has some questions for Dev, too. Amazingly, Colton Ferral’s name comes up. Of course, what better time to offer a spare bedroom on Airbnb, not to mention a surprise guest who arrives on the scene.
Sit back and enjoy another delightful Dev Haskell tale.
A wonderful read to remind you that, actually, your life is pretty good!
As always, Morton, Dev’s Golden Retriever, provides a dose of sanity.
Local crime lord, Tubby Gustafson, has some questions for Dev, too. Amazingly, Colton Ferral’s name comes up. Of course, what better time to offer a spare bedroom on Airbnb, not to mention a surprise guest who arrives on the scene.
Sit back and enjoy another delightful Dev Haskell tale.
A wonderful read to remind you that, actually, your life is pretty good!
As always, Morton, Dev’s Golden Retriever, provides a dose of sanity.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 21, 2021
334 people are currently reading
201 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 - 30 of 54 reviews
November 16, 2021
Helps you to fall asleep
Why the absurd focus on making and drinking coffee throughout the book? Kept hoping it would get better. I found the style of writing odd but humorous at times.
Why the absurd focus on making and drinking coffee throughout the book? Kept hoping it would get better. I found the style of writing odd but humorous at times.
March 20, 2023
Reading a book in the Dev Haskell - Private Investigator series is like hanging out with old friends. Sometimes they're funny and goofy, while other times they are as serious as a heart attack. Either way, they're your friends. The tried-and-true regulars - Dev, Louie Laufen, and, of course, Morton - are now in every book. The running gags - leaving the empty coffee pot on, taking his biscuit off to the side so he 'doesn't have to share' - nearly always involve two of these three. This kind of world building brings a certain comfort level when everything around them is falling apart.
It's winter in St. Paul, Dev is running low on cash, so Louie suggests he turn his spare room into an AirBnB. After some thought, the idea sounds like a winner, but as we who have been reading the entire series know, something is bound to go wrong.
The title is telling… yes, there is gambling going on. There are crimes being committed… the police are aware of some but not others. Crime boss Tubby Gustafson puts Dev on the spot as only he can. Then there's Maddie McGuire, Dev's high school sweetheart. To say more than that would be telling.
Mike Faricy examines the devastation of domestic violence and the ways with which it is coped. Living in fear for one's life at the hands of a domestic partner is all too real, and too often ignored. If there is one thing I've learned about Devlin Haskell, he does not tolerate violence against women.
As always, I recommend that you read the ongoing adventures of Dev Haskell and his pals starting at the beginning with RUSSIAN ROULETTE. Part of the charm in these easy-to-read page turners is watching the development of our hero. Each book reveals a little more.
It's winter in St. Paul, Dev is running low on cash, so Louie suggests he turn his spare room into an AirBnB. After some thought, the idea sounds like a winner, but as we who have been reading the entire series know, something is bound to go wrong.
The title is telling… yes, there is gambling going on. There are crimes being committed… the police are aware of some but not others. Crime boss Tubby Gustafson puts Dev on the spot as only he can. Then there's Maddie McGuire, Dev's high school sweetheart. To say more than that would be telling.
Mike Faricy examines the devastation of domestic violence and the ways with which it is coped. Living in fear for one's life at the hands of a domestic partner is all too real, and too often ignored. If there is one thing I've learned about Devlin Haskell, he does not tolerate violence against women.
As always, I recommend that you read the ongoing adventures of Dev Haskell and his pals starting at the beginning with RUSSIAN ROULETTE. Part of the charm in these easy-to-read page turners is watching the development of our hero. Each book reveals a little more.
January 2, 2022
I wanted to like this novel more. This was the first Dev Haskell I've read and probably the last. Online reviews said that this is one of the best Haskell novels. If that's the case, I can't imagine how pedestrian the other novels are. The writing was repetitive: How many times can you say that someone waddled somewhere? Or that Morton got a biscuit? Or that Dev and Louie drank tons of coffee? And I guessed from the start that the "murder victim" was still alive. All in all, it was a quick, but unsatisfying read. It could have been converted into a short story actually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2022
A good idea that remained boring at 43% I gave up.
As much as I like to finish every book I start to read this is the second book in a row I kept thinking the story would take off and did not. When I read a book I expect it to be exciting to pick up and this one got to the point I had to push myself to do so. I hope for the author it did in the pages after I gave up.
As much as I like to finish every book I start to read this is the second book in a row I kept thinking the story would take off and did not. When I read a book I expect it to be exciting to pick up and this one got to the point I had to push myself to do so. I hope for the author it did in the pages after I gave up.
November 4, 2021
3 ¾ *stars REALLY
LOTS OF EATING, WALKING THE DOG, GOING TO THE BAR AND/OR TO THE OFFICE, DRINKING COFFEE WITH A LITTLE DETECTIVE WORK BUT FUNNY. I DID FIGURE OUT THE TWO BIG MYSTERIES BEFORE THEY WERE REVEALED. YEA ME! I LIKED DEZ AND HOPE HE WILL FIND A STABLE RELATIONSHIP ONE DAY HE AND MORTON DESERVE THAT. ;>
LOTS OF EATING, WALKING THE DOG, GOING TO THE BAR AND/OR TO THE OFFICE, DRINKING COFFEE WITH A LITTLE DETECTIVE WORK BUT FUNNY. I DID FIGURE OUT THE TWO BIG MYSTERIES BEFORE THEY WERE REVEALED. YEA ME! I LIKED DEZ AND HOPE HE WILL FIND A STABLE RELATIONSHIP ONE DAY HE AND MORTON DESERVE THAT. ;>
October 27, 2021
Ehh... Kind of simplistic and very unrealistic. The good news is that it's a fairly short read.
May 18, 2021
Read his full review on Rosepoint Publishing.
Never abandon a great writing formula. Mike Faricy has done it again with his 28th novel in the Dev Haskell Series. A hole in the ice and an old girlfriend’s personal effects are found on the shore of the river. The family is devastated.
Mike had dated Madeline (Maddie) in high school but she married another man. What was she doing on the ice? Everyone knew you should not try to skate on the river. Maddie, although a very skilled skater, had gone through a hole in the ice and her body was not found. Her purse, one blue mitten, her identity and drivers license were all left at the shore.
One of Dev’s clients, Fat Tubby Gustafson has demanded he investigate each of the people who apply to work for him in illegal gambling enterprises. Mike Faricy provides twists and turns that are entertaining.
Dev went to Maddie’s wedding to Colton Ferral. Colton and his mother are in collusion. Their intent is to take over the gambling in town and get rid of Fat Tubby. Dev is investigating the robberies of Fat Tubby’s establishments. Everyone knows you do not cross Fat Tubby.
The story brings back many of the same characters and relationships in Faricy’s other books. I particularly like the dog named Morton in the series who provides some lighter moments to the overall tale.
Can Dev solve the mystery of what happened to Maddie? The reminiscence of a former high school sweetheart adds a romantic twist to the story. Much like the old dime novels, these are a fast and fulfilling read. 4.5 stars - C.E. Williams
Never abandon a great writing formula. Mike Faricy has done it again with his 28th novel in the Dev Haskell Series. A hole in the ice and an old girlfriend’s personal effects are found on the shore of the river. The family is devastated.
Mike had dated Madeline (Maddie) in high school but she married another man. What was she doing on the ice? Everyone knew you should not try to skate on the river. Maddie, although a very skilled skater, had gone through a hole in the ice and her body was not found. Her purse, one blue mitten, her identity and drivers license were all left at the shore.
One of Dev’s clients, Fat Tubby Gustafson has demanded he investigate each of the people who apply to work for him in illegal gambling enterprises. Mike Faricy provides twists and turns that are entertaining.
Dev went to Maddie’s wedding to Colton Ferral. Colton and his mother are in collusion. Their intent is to take over the gambling in town and get rid of Fat Tubby. Dev is investigating the robberies of Fat Tubby’s establishments. Everyone knows you do not cross Fat Tubby.
The story brings back many of the same characters and relationships in Faricy’s other books. I particularly like the dog named Morton in the series who provides some lighter moments to the overall tale.
Can Dev solve the mystery of what happened to Maddie? The reminiscence of a former high school sweetheart adds a romantic twist to the story. Much like the old dime novels, these are a fast and fulfilling read. 4.5 stars - C.E. Williams
September 2, 2023
My first Mike Faricy book. I jumped in late because this was the most recent Dev Haskell book I could find. Pretty darn good, assuming I'm missing many of the inside jokes between characters. Dev is a charming likeable protagonist who seems to not do to well with romances but is a good friend, master to Morton his dog, and private investigator.
I liked the plot --the apparent drowning of an old girlfriend who was unhappily married to a wannabe big time Twin Cities mobster. The characters were a bit one-dimensional, but Faricy writes in a light-hearted, fast-paced, more or less "cozy mystery" style that keeps the story moving.
There's a bit of sameness to the chapters--many start with Dev waking up and end with him going to sleep. And as others have mentioned, repeated coffee drinking, dog feeding, and going to and from the office and the local bar. But I can see why this series is popular with readers who want an easy, breezy read.
I liked the plot --the apparent drowning of an old girlfriend who was unhappily married to a wannabe big time Twin Cities mobster. The characters were a bit one-dimensional, but Faricy writes in a light-hearted, fast-paced, more or less "cozy mystery" style that keeps the story moving.
There's a bit of sameness to the chapters--many start with Dev waking up and end with him going to sleep. And as others have mentioned, repeated coffee drinking, dog feeding, and going to and from the office and the local bar. But I can see why this series is popular with readers who want an easy, breezy read.
April 25, 2021
Mike Faricy’s The Big Gamble is a sure-fire winner in the long-established and winning Dev Haskell Private Investigator series. Faricy writes with a sure and confident hand emblematic of Hiaasen, Sanford, and other luminaries writing in the P.I and mystery field.
The Big Gamble is populated with crooks, gangsters, attractive women, cops, office mates, and one heroic dog. Dev is asked to investigate the apparent suicide of a woman he knew in high school. At first, it looks like any other suicide and the police classify it as such and close the case. But Dev sees inconsistencies that lead him to dig deep into the Minnesota winter and find out why a seemingly happy and outgoing young woman would take her life.
Gather Big Gamble is another winner in this long-running series that readers will hope continues until Dev is too old to pursue criminals and love.
The Big Gamble is populated with crooks, gangsters, attractive women, cops, office mates, and one heroic dog. Dev is asked to investigate the apparent suicide of a woman he knew in high school. At first, it looks like any other suicide and the police classify it as such and close the case. But Dev sees inconsistencies that lead him to dig deep into the Minnesota winter and find out why a seemingly happy and outgoing young woman would take her life.
Gather Big Gamble is another winner in this long-running series that readers will hope continues until Dev is too old to pursue criminals and love.
May 31, 2024
An old flame
An old flame of Devs is reported as dead having gone through the ice of the river.
However, her sisters don’t agree with the police verdict of accidental death as Maddie was brought up on the river and everyone like her knew you don’t walk on the ice on the river. So they ask Dev to investigate.
Tubby Gustafson also brow beats Dev into investigating thefts from his businesses. Tubby is not one you can say no to.
Dev also starts letting out a room in his hours in AirBNB.
There are a number of local bank robberies going on in the background too.
This is a complex story in which Dev shows how good a PI he is whilst also ending up in serious danger.
As ever Dev handles things in a way that shows what a good PI he is and also a really nice guy.
I’m looking forward to book 29.
An old flame of Devs is reported as dead having gone through the ice of the river.
However, her sisters don’t agree with the police verdict of accidental death as Maddie was brought up on the river and everyone like her knew you don’t walk on the ice on the river. So they ask Dev to investigate.
Tubby Gustafson also brow beats Dev into investigating thefts from his businesses. Tubby is not one you can say no to.
Dev also starts letting out a room in his hours in AirBNB.
There are a number of local bank robberies going on in the background too.
This is a complex story in which Dev shows how good a PI he is whilst also ending up in serious danger.
As ever Dev handles things in a way that shows what a good PI he is and also a really nice guy.
I’m looking forward to book 29.
April 23, 2021
When Dev's high school girlfriend, Maddie, is presumed drowned from falling through the ice on the Mississippi River, he attends her memorial. Things don't seem to add up. Not only is her husband not in mourning, but he already has a new main squeeze. He also is in competition with Tubby Gustafson, which makes him not too bright. A couple of Tubby's casinos (illegal, of course) get robbed an Dev is the person who is tagged to find out who did it. The Maddie shows up on his doorstep, and that basically doubles his troubles. There seems to always be a side plot in these books. This time, Dev decides to turn his unused guest room into an AirBnB. His ad is answered by two brothers who claim to be ministers. Plenty of humor.
January 9, 2022
Dev Haskell, private investigator and ever the loser with the women, finds out that a high school girlfriend is assumed dead after falling under the river ice while ice skating. Her sisters ask Dev to look into this since her husband might have had something to do with her death. This begins a story involving gangsters and airbnb guests at Dev's house. Some of the characters in the story are well known in other books in this series. And, of course, his dog Morton is included.
I've read many of the Dev Haskell books and enjoyed this one better than many of the others. There is always some humor that adds to the tale.
I've read many of the Dev Haskell books and enjoyed this one better than many of the others. There is always some humor that adds to the tale.
April 25, 2021
High jinks, action, danger and all the enjoyment that go into a Dev Haskell story are here once again to entertain us. An ex-girlfriend, and Airbnb, Tubby, Fat Freddy, Louie and, best of all, Morton, get mixed up in an adventure that Dev just can't seem to ignore. Always winning characters, always exciting plots, always fun at its very highest level. Mike Faricy's wit and charm shine through in every story and he doesn't disappoint us here. Outrageous, Outstanding and Very Highly Recommended.
January 14, 2025
Ok
This Book is enjoyable most of the time. One of those Books to read Fast and Not to expect a realistic Coherent Story.
This Book series is Not a Serious hard Nose Mystery Crime series. It is a mostly light hearted somewhat comical Series.
I think it fits the Cozy Mystery Genre so if you like that Genre you should enjoy this Book.
There are a few distracting things I don't like about the Book. For example the Character Maddie does Not make any sense. The way the Book ended with her Note was Horrible.
This Book is enjoyable most of the time. One of those Books to read Fast and Not to expect a realistic Coherent Story.
This Book series is Not a Serious hard Nose Mystery Crime series. It is a mostly light hearted somewhat comical Series.
I think it fits the Cozy Mystery Genre so if you like that Genre you should enjoy this Book.
There are a few distracting things I don't like about the Book. For example the Character Maddie does Not make any sense. The way the Book ended with her Note was Horrible.
November 9, 2021
A pair of shoes, some gloves and a hole in the ice.
Lying by the car on the rivers edge were shoes and glovesv and in
in the frozen river a hole in the ice. Story out of these three facts. Whose shows are rgey, did they uce
Mike Faricy has woven a marvellous novel out of these facts. Enjoy the interplay of two gangsters, the private detective and Morton the dog. A real page turner.
Lying by the car on the rivers edge were shoes and glovesv and in
in the frozen river a hole in the ice. Story out of these three facts. Whose shows are rgey, did they uce
Mike Faricy has woven a marvellous novel out of these facts. Enjoy the interplay of two gangsters, the private detective and Morton the dog. A real page turner.
January 22, 2025
What another great read by Mike, Dev always does his best to help anyone and everybody that he knows. Ultimately if he can get a woman into bed, he is going to try like he'll. He gets lucky every now and then and did with Maddie, but unfortunately it didn't last like every other one.
All in all I like how it all played out and came together in the end.
Excellent read for me, on to the next one.
All in all I like how it all played out and came together in the end.
Excellent read for me, on to the next one.
April 23, 2021
This is another Dev Haskell misadventure that you will enjoy. Dev is such an interesting character that I just have to smile. He lies effortly, thinks he's a lady's man and usually helps his clients despite himself. Even though this series has reoccurring characters, you could read it as a stand-alone if you are new to Dev Haskell private investigator.
December 28, 2021
I really like the lovable private detective Dev Haskell and his crazy clients. I’ve read at least fifteen in this series and The Big Gamble delivers wit, intrigue, potential romance, and gunplay. Faricy keeps letting this character get into bad situations but luck and sarcasm helps to save him time and again. I hope he writes more in this series.
May 10, 2021
Once Again
I really enjoyed this book. The action, antics were great as usual. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I recommend any of Mike's book. They are entertaining, and are real life situations. I do hope that you all read his creations.
I really enjoyed this book. The action, antics were great as usual. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. I recommend any of Mike's book. They are entertaining, and are real life situations. I do hope that you all read his creations.
October 9, 2021
Mike Faricy has done it again with The Big Gamble. I really enjoy Mike's plots, characters and humor.
This book was hard to put down. Dev Haskell is both hero and loser in this book but I really liked the way Morton, his Golden Retriever came to the rescue.
This book was hard to put down. Dev Haskell is both hero and loser in this book but I really liked the way Morton, his Golden Retriever came to the rescue.
October 27, 2021
Another great tale with a happy ending for the people that matter. Dev helps out and is helped by Maddie and Morton saves the day at the end. A feel good book with a sort of double plot well executed and fun read.
October 27, 2021
Great story as usual.
All of the Dev Haskell books are very well written with interesting characters. The plot moved along well with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Lot's of fun.
All of the Dev Haskell books are very well written with interesting characters. The plot moved along well with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Lot's of fun.
November 8, 2021
Did the Big Gamble pay off?
An intriguing story from beginning to end, with several different mysteries to solve, and just when the reader thinks things are winding down, they ramp up by leaps and bounds.
An intriguing story from beginning to end, with several different mysteries to solve, and just when the reader thinks things are winding down, they ramp up by leaps and bounds.
December 29, 2021
Author ID sheets Good read, it continues
Fast pace action; keeps the series alive. Enjoy the twists.I keep coming back for more interesting reads during these difficult pandemic times.
Fast pace action; keeps the series alive. Enjoy the twists.I keep coming back for more interesting reads during these difficult pandemic times.
February 11, 2022
Good.
This was a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it and knew what kind of book I would be reading… not great literature but just a totally easy, quick and delightful escape book to read
This was a lot of fun. I thoroughly enjoyed it and knew what kind of book I would be reading… not great literature but just a totally easy, quick and delightful escape book to read
March 31, 2022
Missing woman and bank robbers.
A woman goes missed, thought to be a suicide, to escape a horrible marriage. However, she ran away and turns to Haskell for help. In the meantime, two men rob several banks. Obviously, Haskell saves the day all around.
A woman goes missed, thought to be a suicide, to escape a horrible marriage. However, she ran away and turns to Haskell for help. In the meantime, two men rob several banks. Obviously, Haskell saves the day all around.
October 10, 2022
A mystery for Dev to solve. A suspected suicide by an old girlfriend starts the ball rolling and from there Dev becomes embroiled in her criminal ex husband's shady dealings.
Another great Dev Haskell novel.
Another great Dev Haskell novel.
August 17, 2023
Definitely an entertaining read!
The plot wasn't too hard to figure out, but the humor made it worth reading all the way to the last page. Where does Faricy come up with all stuff? It will keep me smiling for a while 🤣🤣.
The plot wasn't too hard to figure out, but the humor made it worth reading all the way to the last page. Where does Faricy come up with all stuff? It will keep me smiling for a while 🤣🤣.
May 1, 2021
Always a fun read
Just a great getaway book, always a good laugh. Wonderful characters you either love or not. Dev always finds trouble but usually comes out ok.
Just a great getaway book, always a good laugh. Wonderful characters you either love or not. Dev always finds trouble but usually comes out ok.
July 3, 2021
Great read
I love Dev Haskell stories, he really is a gentleman unlucky in love, lucky at solving mysteries and funny as he'll.
I love Dev Haskell stories, he really is a gentleman unlucky in love, lucky at solving mysteries and funny as he'll.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews