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Keeley & Associates #5
Ghost & Gambler
Forget knowing when to hold 'em.
Knowing when to run is still pretty important, though.
When you've got a deck of cards that tilts luck in your favor, you literally can't lose.
But that doesn't mean you can win.
James has been hired to find out who's killing players in the gambling event of the season, a poker tournament that will determine who controls the city's magical underworld for the next year, in a glamorous underground casino with a rising body count.
Good thing he's got luck on his side.
But it's going to take a lot more than that when the killer sets their sights on James and his friends .
Knowing when to run is still pretty important, though.
When you've got a deck of cards that tilts luck in your favor, you literally can't lose.
But that doesn't mean you can win.
James has been hired to find out who's killing players in the gambling event of the season, a poker tournament that will determine who controls the city's magical underworld for the next year, in a glamorous underground casino with a rising body count.
Good thing he's got luck on his side.
But it's going to take a lot more than that when the killer sets their sights on James and his friends .
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2022
About the author
Layla Lawlor
44 books36 followersLayla Lawlor is the author of KISMET (science fiction webcomic) and the forthcoming GATEKEEPER series (urban fantasy), as well as assorted short fiction. She also writes paranormal romance as Lauren Esker, and the BODYGUARD SHIFTERS series as Zoe Chant. She lives in Alaska, on the highway north of Fairbanks.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 6, 2025
I was bored through much of this one. However, things take quite the turn in the last quarter, taking this up to three stars. Most of it was rather dull, made worse by the indeterminant action, plus I have no interest in poker so I skimmed those parts looking for plot.
So. Could've been worse, but could've been better, too.
So. Could've been worse, but could've been better, too.
May 2, 2022
Luck is a living thing, and death is close to hand- and lingers in suspension.
A visit to an underground casino takes James and a miscellaneous collection of associates on a number of lethal adventures.
The Game is a poker tournament aimed at negotiating the balance of power among underworld figures. Holdings and properties can be won and lost with the turn of a card. Wendy gives PI James a chance to hold onto his office rather than her playing away the title - and he discovers many intrigues are afoot in the casino.
Dolly the ghost is very near and James may need her guidance for a long term departure if he fails to accurately assess the threats at the casino.
Oz the dragon seems to be riding an emotional roller coaster. He might be smitten by a new female dragon - if the both survive the chaos in the casino.
Magic and action packed drama and intrigue!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A visit to an underground casino takes James and a miscellaneous collection of associates on a number of lethal adventures.
The Game is a poker tournament aimed at negotiating the balance of power among underworld figures. Holdings and properties can be won and lost with the turn of a card. Wendy gives PI James a chance to hold onto his office rather than her playing away the title - and he discovers many intrigues are afoot in the casino.
Dolly the ghost is very near and James may need her guidance for a long term departure if he fails to accurately assess the threats at the casino.
Oz the dragon seems to be riding an emotional roller coaster. He might be smitten by a new female dragon - if the both survive the chaos in the casino.
Magic and action packed drama and intrigue!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 27, 2023
Ahoy there mateys! Back in the day I read
the first four books
only to find out the author was writing more in this world. Arrr! I love the characters in this series. There is the detective James, the 1920s ghost Dolly, the fantastic dragon Oz, and the shapeshifter Aliette. In book 5 James, using a scary deck of cards, has to figure out who is killing the players in a high stakes poker game. Book 6, the least favorite of the seven, involves James finding a missing shapeshifter and dealing with a cult. Book 7, deals with James horrible mother and trying to recover stolen artifacts. These are not books that should be read out of order. Start from the beginning. I highly recommend this series. I will likely reread some of these again in the future. Arrr!
April 29, 2022
Tournament Victims ? . . .
James Keeley is hired to investigate the murders of players in the gambling event of the season. This event will determine which poker tournament winner will be awarded control of the city's magical underworld for the next year. The problem is, it’s not just the players at risk when the killer decides to get rid of James and his friends before they become a problem.
This intriguing series of cozy mysteries provides strong story lines that hold the reader’s complete attention as they move through the action and build up suspense. The characters we are familiar with are well developed, interesting and likable. The combination of suspense, intrigue, and (my favorite) humor, will lead the reader to a satisfying solution to the crime, and sometimes James Keeley figures it out too! You won’t want to miss seeing the team in action (but don’t blink).
James Keeley is hired to investigate the murders of players in the gambling event of the season. This event will determine which poker tournament winner will be awarded control of the city's magical underworld for the next year. The problem is, it’s not just the players at risk when the killer decides to get rid of James and his friends before they become a problem.
This intriguing series of cozy mysteries provides strong story lines that hold the reader’s complete attention as they move through the action and build up suspense. The characters we are familiar with are well developed, interesting and likable. The combination of suspense, intrigue, and (my favorite) humor, will lead the reader to a satisfying solution to the crime, and sometimes James Keeley figures it out too! You won’t want to miss seeing the team in action (but don’t blink).
April 1, 2023
Excellent!
I actually read this one out of order. My bad. It made no difference to my enjoyment of the sixth book but did fill in the back story, a brilliant backstory at that. Each book expands a little bit more on the four main characters relationships and rounds them out. Like all truly good tales those relationships contribute greatly to the enjoyment the reader finds in the reading. Imagine Star Trek without Kirk, Spock, Bones and Scotty. It wouldn’t be the same. Keeley and Associates wouldn’t be the same without James, Oz, Dolly and Aliette. The book of course has a strong interesting well paced plot in line with what you expect from a good detective story. James actually gets killed off in it and for a while experiences what existence is like for Dolly the ghost. To find out what happens you will have to read the book. Enjoy it. I certainly did.
I actually read this one out of order. My bad. It made no difference to my enjoyment of the sixth book but did fill in the back story, a brilliant backstory at that. Each book expands a little bit more on the four main characters relationships and rounds them out. Like all truly good tales those relationships contribute greatly to the enjoyment the reader finds in the reading. Imagine Star Trek without Kirk, Spock, Bones and Scotty. It wouldn’t be the same. Keeley and Associates wouldn’t be the same without James, Oz, Dolly and Aliette. The book of course has a strong interesting well paced plot in line with what you expect from a good detective story. James actually gets killed off in it and for a while experiences what existence is like for Dolly the ghost. To find out what happens you will have to read the book. Enjoy it. I certainly did.
December 2, 2022
Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰
Another will written murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Layla Lawlor (Keeley &Associates book 5). Keeley & Associates are hired to investigate murder at a casino 🎰. Oz, Dolly, and others are working at the casino 🎰 with lots of action and violence leading to more murders and James getting poisoned. James and Wendy recover. Wendy gives James the warehouse. Things are returning to normal it there normal in the paranormal world 🌎 book 6 release date March 31,2023. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 😄👒🐉
Another will written murder mystery adventure thriller novel by Layla Lawlor (Keeley &Associates book 5). Keeley & Associates are hired to investigate murder at a casino 🎰. Oz, Dolly, and others are working at the casino 🎰 with lots of action and violence leading to more murders and James getting poisoned. James and Wendy recover. Wendy gives James the warehouse. Things are returning to normal it there normal in the paranormal world 🌎 book 6 release date March 31,2023. Enjoy the adventure of reading or listening to books 📚. 2022 😄👒🐉
November 22, 2023
This is book 5 of a neat little Urban fantasy series that can be summed up as Detective with a magic gun gets into frequent trouble but also keeps making new friends. The books move fast with plots that are not that difficult to follow but don't always follow the most predictable path.
It may also be worth noting that unlike a lot of urban fantasy series, this one doesn't have a strong romance side plot.
It may also be worth noting that unlike a lot of urban fantasy series, this one doesn't have a strong romance side plot.
May 25, 2025
Good mysyery.
The story continues in the next volume , but the mystery of the murders is solved . Someone is murdering supernatural creatures, and James is hired to find the culprit. James deals with dragons , ghosts , a unicorn , and other supernatural beings. I will be reading more of this series.
The story continues in the next volume , but the mystery of the murders is solved . Someone is murdering supernatural creatures, and James is hired to find the culprit. James deals with dragons , ghosts , a unicorn , and other supernatural beings. I will be reading more of this series.
May 3, 2022
Love this series, very glad to read that more books are coming, even though 2023 is a long time to wait for the next one. As much as I like James, I absolutely adore Oz. I can't wait for the next one!
April 22, 2023
Another great Keeley, Oz and Dolly tale
Ghosts, dragons, unicorns, paranormal creatures, fae and a P.I. How much more fun can you get? Add lucky cards in a casino and a game of very high stakes poker and you get murders and mysteries.
Lots of fun and highly recommended.
Ghosts, dragons, unicorns, paranormal creatures, fae and a P.I. How much more fun can you get? Add lucky cards in a casino and a game of very high stakes poker and you get murders and mysteries.
Lots of fun and highly recommended.
August 29, 2024
Magic cards, poison, and a unicorn in a high stakes poker game. James makes new allies and gets a job from a frenemy. Someone is killing off players in a very high stakes poker game. James is hired to figure out who.
April 29, 2022
recommended
This was a fun read! I enjoyed seeing the action and mystery. Development of old characters and introduction of new characters too, which was cool
This was a fun read! I enjoyed seeing the action and mystery. Development of old characters and introduction of new characters too, which was cool
April 30, 2022
Very good book
This is a fine urban noire detective fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Oz the dragon. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine urban noire detective fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Oz the dragon. I anxiously await the sequel.
May 10, 2022
The more I read, the more I love this series. Great characters and interesting and engaging stories, what more could I ask for? Excited for the next one!
May 31, 2022
Keeley & Associates
Another great Keeley & Associates adventure. Love OZ ( and James and Dolly)! Ready to read Book 6. (starting tomorrow)
Another great Keeley & Associates adventure. Love OZ ( and James and Dolly)! Ready to read Book 6. (starting tomorrow)
August 5, 2022
Very entertaining
I love Oz! My favorite dragon ever. I enjoy the banter between Oz and James. The other characters were also hilarious.
I love Oz! My favorite dragon ever. I enjoy the banter between Oz and James. The other characters were also hilarious.
October 1, 2022
Really fun
I really like this whole series of detective novels. They are lots of funamd keep you guessing. Three more words
I really like this whole series of detective novels. They are lots of funamd keep you guessing. Three more words
December 12, 2022
Great series
Gets deeper as you go. Light but fun, great characters. World build is good, just that little bit different from the norm fantasy noir
Gets deeper as you go. Light but fun, great characters. World build is good, just that little bit different from the norm fantasy noir
September 29, 2023
each one better than the last
This series is fantastic. The first book was okay, but there was something that made me want to read the next and I am glad that I did.
This series is fantastic. The first book was okay, but there was something that made me want to read the next and I am glad that I did.
December 4, 2024
Once again, a fantastic (literally) detective novel. Who knew Oz had it in him to be a playboy?
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews