Wager Tough: Prequel to WagerEasy

The Wager #1

by Tom Farrell

In August, 2014, years before the legalization of sports betting in the United States, when a mob-connected bookie named Zany is murdered, Eddie O’Connell is assigned to take over Zany’s operation and find the killer. The trail leads to an exclusive, private gambling club where simulcast wagering on horse racing is used as a front for illegal sports betting. With the assistance of Paula “Rudi” Rudinger, the manager of Zany’s bookie operation and former lover, Eddie meets those who owe gambling debts. Eddie had run up a gambling debt of his own, but now finds himself doing collection.

Another bookie makes a grab for the gambling club’s business and seems like the perfect suspect. Eddie doesn’t buy the theory and must walk a fine line amid the cops, the club’s high rollers, and a local crime boss who only cares about the store’s flow of revenue during the upcoming football season. Each faction wants Eddie out of the picture, but he won’t leave until he gets justice for Zany.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller Suspense

367 pages, Paperback

Published July 30, 2021

About the author

Tom Farrell has worked as a golf course starter, a chemist and clerked at City Hall in Chicago while attending law school. His novel, Wager Tough, was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Books of 2021 Indie. WagerEasy received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews. Wager Smart, the third book in the mystery thriller series set in the world of gambling, organized crime and murder, was an Editor's Pick by Kirkus Reviews and received a starred review. Indies Today called it "the best of Tom Farrell's books so far." He has served as Vice President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, a nonprofit corporation, and was voted RMFW's 2024 Writer of the Year. Now retired from practicing law, when he’s not writing, he can be found on the golf course or at a local jazz club. Visit him at www.tomfarrellbooks.com.

Reviews

[Theresa Alan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 2014, before sports gambling was legal, a mob-connected bookie named Zany is murdered. Chicagoan Eddie O’Connell can pay off his gambling debt if he can find Zany’s killer, but if that weren’t motivation enough, he’d want to find justice for Zany in any case.

Eddie takes over Zany’s role in a company called Team Player. To keep the company afloat, he tries to call in debts and walk a line between rival bookies, the cops, the wealthy gamblers at an exclusive club, and other mob goons who want to be in his spot.

Razor-sharp dialogue propels this twisty mystery, and Eddie O’Connell is a likeable, fallible hero.

This is a Kindle Unlimited novel.

[Karla Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eddie is a flawed yet determined character that you'll root for throughout the twists and turns in this fast-paced book. I thoroughly enjoyed WagerEasy by Tom Farrell (which I picked up because of the gambling theme I know nothing about) and found myself just as engrossed in this prequel. Farrell obviously did some amazing research into all aspects of gambling, including the seedy darker elements often trying to run the show. I'm completely intrigued by this subject and I look forward to another book in the Wager series. I'm betting on a Kirkus trifecta—A third starred review.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wager Tough by Tom Farrell was an interesting "who dun it" mystery. If you enjoy living in the world of gamblers then this novel is for you. The characters were in either a love or hate relationship with many depths to them other than their relationship through gambling. Eddie is a struggling investigator who has had problems with gambling, relationships and drinking. Since I am not a gambler, I was somewhat lost in the mob-style, gambling linguistics. But an unexpected twist in the story made Wager Tough a true suspense. This novel is a prequel to a series that he is writing.

#thankyouGoodreadsfortheKindleEditiontothisnovel.

[Jennifer Finken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I was pleasantly surprised at this book. I received it as a Goodreads giveaway so I wasn't sure what to expect. The story was easy to follow even with all the mystery, and was a classic whodunit thriller. There is murder, torture, mob, gambling, drinking, a little chase, some romantic interest, and a satisfying ending. All in all a great story that was well written.

[Paula Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. A lot of time spent in gambling establishments for the protagonist who is trying to give up drinking and gambling was a bit confusing. I would recommend reading if you like to help solve a mystery.

I won this book in a Goodreads book giveaway!

[ukkindlecustomer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Argument for Legalised Betting?

Noirish gambling/gaming crime thriller with likeable anti-hero and familiar Mafioso supporting cast. Intriguing whodunit with twists and turns to keep the reader guessing to the end.

[Tanya Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun book. Gambler turned part-time investigator for the Chicago mob, turned PI for a very interesting lawyer while also being a bartender.

Seems to get himself into a lot of trouble, but his uncle seems to help him too, both getting into trouble and getting out of trouble.

Great characters, great plot line.

[Dallas Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Tom Farrell’s second novel, Eddie O’Connell takes his investigative skills to Denver. At the request of a mob boss to whom Eddie is indebted, Eddie must track down the killer of a local bookie while assuming management of the bookie’s gambling shop. He quickly learns he has few friends and many rivals if not outright enemies. Farrell again demonstrates his excellent ability to weave in-depth knowledge of gambling and location—this time Denver—with superb story telling. Loved it. Five stars.

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a goodreads drawing.

Prequel to WagerEasy. Eddie O'Connell is sent to Denver to find out who killed a bookie. He's doing it to get out of a gambling debt. He starts poking around, meets a love interest with a stalker for an ex-husband, a club for the rich and famous, and more murders.

Pretty decent, but it seems odd to take the series out of its premise on the second entry.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This turned out to be a really good twisty mystery. I had a little trouble in the beginning following the story, I tend to skim gory descriptions, but I am glad I kept reading. I wasn't too familiar with the gambling world and I found the descriptions about it very interesting. Especially the psychological draw of it for those who get addicted to the thrill.

[Walter Critz · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting story!

This is a deep dive into an unsavory and gritty world a flawed character is thrust into solving a whole-done-it mystery involving an old pal. It doesn’t help that his employers and the people he is investigating have mob connections. The story and its characters seemed true to life and would not let me go until I finished the book!

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt a little all over the place, but there was enough action and tension in it to keep me interested. I would continue the series.
Thank you for the free copy!

[Jackie Martello]

DNF. 1/3 of the way through I quit. Unlikable characters and uninteresting story.

[Mailmanr5 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good yarn. Didn't think I'd like it too much because of the gambling theme but reading about the bookies life I was fascinated. Good plot and great characters.

[Kelley Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick read. Interesting plot about a bookie named Zany who was murdered. This is set before sport gambling was legal. In steps Eddie a gambling addict who has a debt that needs to be paid and he steps in as a bookie to find Zany's murderer to settle it.

Eddie is a likeable character that you want to succeed in the end. If you like to read mysteries based in underground gambling rings this will be right up your alley. It keeps you engaged through to the finale.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily