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Perilous Gambit: A Mike Stoneman Thriller
A Las Vegas drag queen and a South Dakota Senator– both murdered. How are they related? NYPD Homicide detectives Mike Stoneman and Jason Dickson wouldn’t be involved, except they’re in Vegas for Jason’s wedding . . . and the bride’s brother, Jackie, is the prime suspect.
Mike and Jason try to intercede with the local cops, but when somebody tries to kill Jackie, being arrested is the least of his troubles. The harrowing events threaten to ruin the vacation, the wedding, and Jackie’s career. Is there yet another murder in the casino cards?
When the heat is on in Las Vegas, Mike may need to take a huge gamble that could cost them everything. Their only way out may be a PERILOUS GAMBIT.
Mike and Jason try to intercede with the local cops, but when somebody tries to kill Jackie, being arrested is the least of his troubles. The harrowing events threaten to ruin the vacation, the wedding, and Jackie’s career. Is there yet another murder in the casino cards?
When the heat is on in Las Vegas, Mike may need to take a huge gamble that could cost them everything. Their only way out may be a PERILOUS GAMBIT.
- GenresMystery
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2021
41 people are currently reading
1084 people want to read
About the author
Kevin G. Chapman
20 books255 followersIn 2025, I will be publishing my 10th novel, Treacherous Hack, book #7 in my Mike Stoneman series.
My 2023 stand-alone novel, The Other Murder, won the GRAND PRIZE CLUE award as the best suspense/thriller of 2023 (Chanticleer International Book Awards)! The Other Murder is about a high-profile murder and the media frenzy it creates, and the other murder that nobody cares about. When two journalists team up to investigate the two murders, nothing is as it seems, and the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
Be sure to also check out another stand-alone novel titled Dead Winner, where the quest for a $60 million dollar winning lottery ticket turns deadly. Dead Winner was named the BEST POLICE PROCEDURAL OF THE YEAR and Blue Ribbon winner of the CLUE Award.
Also new is a short story titled The Car, the Dog & the Girl, which is available FREE from Kevin's website and from Amazon and other ebook retailers.
And, of course, look for my 7-book Mike Stoneman series has garnered wonderful reviews and critical acclaim, including:
Book #4 -- Fatal Infraction, was the WINNER of the CLUE Award as best police procedural of 2021 and is a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Kindle Book Award
Book #3, Lethal Voyage, was the WINNER of the 2021 Kindle Book Award (best mystery/thriller) and a Finalist for the CLUE and the 2021 RONE Award (InD'Tale magazine),
Kevin lives in Central New Jersey with his photographer wife. When not in times of global pandemic, they love to travel (on cruise ships, especially) and Kevin loves playing tournament poker and cheering on his beloved New York Mets.
My 2023 stand-alone novel, The Other Murder, won the GRAND PRIZE CLUE award as the best suspense/thriller of 2023 (Chanticleer International Book Awards)! The Other Murder is about a high-profile murder and the media frenzy it creates, and the other murder that nobody cares about. When two journalists team up to investigate the two murders, nothing is as it seems, and the most dangerous thing . . . is the truth.
Be sure to also check out another stand-alone novel titled Dead Winner, where the quest for a $60 million dollar winning lottery ticket turns deadly. Dead Winner was named the BEST POLICE PROCEDURAL OF THE YEAR and Blue Ribbon winner of the CLUE Award.
Also new is a short story titled The Car, the Dog & the Girl, which is available FREE from Kevin's website and from Amazon and other ebook retailers.
And, of course, look for my 7-book Mike Stoneman series has garnered wonderful reviews and critical acclaim, including:
Book #4 -- Fatal Infraction, was the WINNER of the CLUE Award as best police procedural of 2021 and is a Semi-Finalist for the 2022 Kindle Book Award
Book #3, Lethal Voyage, was the WINNER of the 2021 Kindle Book Award (best mystery/thriller) and a Finalist for the CLUE and the 2021 RONE Award (InD'Tale magazine),
Kevin lives in Central New Jersey with his photographer wife. When not in times of global pandemic, they love to travel (on cruise ships, especially) and Kevin loves playing tournament poker and cheering on his beloved New York Mets.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 11, 2021
Perilous Gambit is the fifth (and possibly last) book in the Mike Stoneman series about a middle aged detective from New York City, and his younger partner Jason. I’ve read them all in order but each works as a stand-alone. The unusual thing about them is how different they are from each other - there’s a darkish serial killer thriller, a murder mystery, a light-hearted buddy cops on a cruise romp, a sport-related investigation, and now a gangster caper crossed with an elopement comedy with added drag queens! This appears to have been a deliberate attempt by the author to explore different genres, but runs the risk that someone who loved one book may be disappointed by how different the subsequent ones are: this one is very female-reader oriented. I beta read an early draft by private arrangement with the author and then quickly reread the final ARC version to see what had changed.
Set (very deliberately to avoid Covid interfering in the plot) over the New Year 2020 break, this has Jason and his fiancée Rachel deciding to get married during their holiday in Las Vegas, and inviting Mike and Michelle along as witnesses. They meet up with her younger brother Jackie, a drag show performer known as Belle, who is accused of murder when her colleague is brutally murdered, and then becomes a target herself. How does Jackie’s predicament connect to a dead Senator and a compromising photograph being circulated by the FBI?
I have enjoyed the development of the central relationship between Mike and Jason over the course of the series from slightly resentful colleagues to best buddies, and their corresponding romances. This has a big focus on the wedding subplot, which rather got in the way of the mystery in my opinion. The gang have fun in Vegas when they’re not dodging bullets and you certainly get a comprehensive tour of Sin City’s highlights. There are nasty gangsters, and there is some violence but it’s not excessive.
I enjoyed the cameo by a character who has popped up as comic relief throughout the series, and some of the in-jokes, and I loved the last line - which was a surprise as it changed from the early version - but rounded off the book (and possibly the series?) very fittingly.
While these books are mostly light-hearted detective stories, they do touch on serious issues. The last one explored racial discrimination and showed Mike being schooled on concepts like implicit bias and white privilege by his African-American partner, while this one shifts to considering transgender issues, as Mike learns that drag queens are people too. This was handled in a non-preachy way and didn’t get in the way of the plot, but it also didn’t do much to reduce stereotypes. The mystery part was fairly straightforward and took a back seat to the rest of the drama but I enjoyed it regardless.
Set (very deliberately to avoid Covid interfering in the plot) over the New Year 2020 break, this has Jason and his fiancée Rachel deciding to get married during their holiday in Las Vegas, and inviting Mike and Michelle along as witnesses. They meet up with her younger brother Jackie, a drag show performer known as Belle, who is accused of murder when her colleague is brutally murdered, and then becomes a target herself. How does Jackie’s predicament connect to a dead Senator and a compromising photograph being circulated by the FBI?
I have enjoyed the development of the central relationship between Mike and Jason over the course of the series from slightly resentful colleagues to best buddies, and their corresponding romances. This has a big focus on the wedding subplot, which rather got in the way of the mystery in my opinion. The gang have fun in Vegas when they’re not dodging bullets and you certainly get a comprehensive tour of Sin City’s highlights. There are nasty gangsters, and there is some violence but it’s not excessive.
I enjoyed the cameo by a character who has popped up as comic relief throughout the series, and some of the in-jokes, and I loved the last line - which was a surprise as it changed from the early version - but rounded off the book (and possibly the series?) very fittingly.
While these books are mostly light-hearted detective stories, they do touch on serious issues. The last one explored racial discrimination and showed Mike being schooled on concepts like implicit bias and white privilege by his African-American partner, while this one shifts to considering transgender issues, as Mike learns that drag queens are people too. This was handled in a non-preachy way and didn’t get in the way of the plot, but it also didn’t do much to reduce stereotypes. The mystery part was fairly straightforward and took a back seat to the rest of the drama but I enjoyed it regardless.
Read
December 10, 2021"What do you get when you have murders, mobsters, drag queens, and a wedding?-a page-turning
good time!"
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
good time!"
Check out my full review at InD'Tale Magazine:
http://magazine.indtale.com/magazine/...
October 25, 2021
Though Kevin G. Chapman’s Perilous Gambit: A Mike Stoneman Thriller unfolds with a homicide of a U.S. Senator in Rapid City, South Dakota on December 22nd 2019, the action, predominantly that follows, is set in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The opening scene has Senator Harlan Bushfield III driving home with his wife Loretta on a bitter winter night after attending a fundraiser.
The SUV Harlan is driving has a flat tire. He telephones Triple-A for help. After a brief wait, a fellow with a thick black beard wearing a sizable down coat and a brown fur hat shows up. He tells Harlan to get out of the SUV and come with him to his tow truck. Harlan complies, and in the ensuing sequence of events, he is tasered from behind, paralyzing his nerves.
The man yells out to Harlan, “you should have played ball.” The van with a barely conscious Harlan pulls onto an isolated road and rides past the SUV, to Loretta’s astonishment. We later learn that Harlan has been assassinated, and his body was spotted lying on ice under an overpass over Rapid Creek.
Crimes of this variety don’t crop up very regularly in Rapid City. Why did someone want Harlan dead? Loretta did recall that her husband was unusually fidgety and uneasy over the previous few weeks. She associated that to some upcoming votes in the senate.
The scene shifts to New York on December 26th. We meet senior homicide detective Mike Stoneman of the Manhattan North Division, and his sweetheart, Dr. Michelle McNeill, the county medical examiner.
We are also introduced to Michelle’s best friend Rachel, who is about to wed Mike’s friend and partner, Detective Jason Dickson.
Michelle is terribly upset because she just found out that she is pregnant. She is worried that Jason will have an adverse reaction and also doesn’t want to have the baby before she is wed.
Michelle is relieved when Jason is thrilled that the couple will be having a baby and both agree that they run off and marry in Las Vegas instead of the big, lavish wedding they had planned.
They invite Mike and Michelle to travel with them to Las Vegas.
The narrative jumps back to Rapid City, where FBI agent Derek Dumm and his junior partner Chelsea Anne Shields are involved in struggling to solve the murder of Bushfield.
Dumm communicates with his boss and informs him they have very few leads except for an embarrassing photo found on Bushfield’s phone.
Dumm is warned not to contact Bushfield’s wife about the image, and he is to make certain that it will be kept a secret.\
The photo shows three showgirls with Bushfield in an embarrassing position. It suggests it was used to blackmail him, which Dumm surmises from the note attached to the message dispatched to Bushfield.
Maybe whoever was trying to blackmail Bushfield was attempting to manipulate votes in Congress. What is this about?
The FBI agents are at a loss when and where the photo was taken. They again are baffled as to the identity of the ladies in the picture.
We later learn that two individuals in the image were two black drag performers and the other a pole dancer. The agents also don’t know what legislation involving Bushfield would be of interest to the blackmailer.
As the story further unfolds, Mike and Jason’s superior is contacted by the FBI, requesting the support of the N.Y. police department in tracking down the individuals in the photo.
Mike and Jason are presented with a picture of three women, dolled up like showgirls or Carnivale dancers with a “dude” whose identity is not divulged. They are told not to let anyone copy the photo or even bother with the identification of the “dude.”
Another character that Chapman throws into the plot is mobster Freddy Costanzo. The latter has set up his criminal activities in Las Vegas.
Freddy is not thrilled that someone is blackmailing him to the tune of one-hundred -thousand- dollars.
The blackmailer claims to have evidence of linking Freddy to the murder of Senator Harland Bushfield, and he said he would turn it over to the FBI.
To add insult to injury, the initial undertaking by Freddy’s Lieutenant, Rick “The Neck Garetti” and his two further attempts to grab the culprit are screwed up.
We subsequently learn that one of the young women in the photo is a pole dancer who, sadly, is killed. Another member of the trio, a drag queen, is likewise killed, leaving one left.
This person is the brother of Rachel, and he winds up being in considerable danger.
Chapman takes us on a roller-coaster ride as he deftly weaves together an assassination of a U.S. senator, a photo of the senator in a compromising position, a detective who is about to be married in Las Vegas whose future brother-in-law is embroiled in the photo, extortion, two other murders, a mobster who is being blackmailed, and a corrupt Las Vegas detective.
The narrative’s pacing is outstanding, its tautly written plot is full of surprises. Clever characterizations are tailor made for an action-oriented audience. In the end, readers are left with a heart pounding nail-biter keeping you on the edge of your seats.
FOLLOW HERE https://waa.ai/qQRX TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN G. CHAPMAN
The opening scene has Senator Harlan Bushfield III driving home with his wife Loretta on a bitter winter night after attending a fundraiser.
The SUV Harlan is driving has a flat tire. He telephones Triple-A for help. After a brief wait, a fellow with a thick black beard wearing a sizable down coat and a brown fur hat shows up. He tells Harlan to get out of the SUV and come with him to his tow truck. Harlan complies, and in the ensuing sequence of events, he is tasered from behind, paralyzing his nerves.
The man yells out to Harlan, “you should have played ball.” The van with a barely conscious Harlan pulls onto an isolated road and rides past the SUV, to Loretta’s astonishment. We later learn that Harlan has been assassinated, and his body was spotted lying on ice under an overpass over Rapid Creek.
Crimes of this variety don’t crop up very regularly in Rapid City. Why did someone want Harlan dead? Loretta did recall that her husband was unusually fidgety and uneasy over the previous few weeks. She associated that to some upcoming votes in the senate.
The scene shifts to New York on December 26th. We meet senior homicide detective Mike Stoneman of the Manhattan North Division, and his sweetheart, Dr. Michelle McNeill, the county medical examiner.
We are also introduced to Michelle’s best friend Rachel, who is about to wed Mike’s friend and partner, Detective Jason Dickson.
Michelle is terribly upset because she just found out that she is pregnant. She is worried that Jason will have an adverse reaction and also doesn’t want to have the baby before she is wed.
Michelle is relieved when Jason is thrilled that the couple will be having a baby and both agree that they run off and marry in Las Vegas instead of the big, lavish wedding they had planned.
They invite Mike and Michelle to travel with them to Las Vegas.
The narrative jumps back to Rapid City, where FBI agent Derek Dumm and his junior partner Chelsea Anne Shields are involved in struggling to solve the murder of Bushfield.
Dumm communicates with his boss and informs him they have very few leads except for an embarrassing photo found on Bushfield’s phone.
Dumm is warned not to contact Bushfield’s wife about the image, and he is to make certain that it will be kept a secret.\
The photo shows three showgirls with Bushfield in an embarrassing position. It suggests it was used to blackmail him, which Dumm surmises from the note attached to the message dispatched to Bushfield.
Maybe whoever was trying to blackmail Bushfield was attempting to manipulate votes in Congress. What is this about?
The FBI agents are at a loss when and where the photo was taken. They again are baffled as to the identity of the ladies in the picture.
We later learn that two individuals in the image were two black drag performers and the other a pole dancer. The agents also don’t know what legislation involving Bushfield would be of interest to the blackmailer.
As the story further unfolds, Mike and Jason’s superior is contacted by the FBI, requesting the support of the N.Y. police department in tracking down the individuals in the photo.
Mike and Jason are presented with a picture of three women, dolled up like showgirls or Carnivale dancers with a “dude” whose identity is not divulged. They are told not to let anyone copy the photo or even bother with the identification of the “dude.”
Another character that Chapman throws into the plot is mobster Freddy Costanzo. The latter has set up his criminal activities in Las Vegas.
Freddy is not thrilled that someone is blackmailing him to the tune of one-hundred -thousand- dollars.
The blackmailer claims to have evidence of linking Freddy to the murder of Senator Harland Bushfield, and he said he would turn it over to the FBI.
To add insult to injury, the initial undertaking by Freddy’s Lieutenant, Rick “The Neck Garetti” and his two further attempts to grab the culprit are screwed up.
We subsequently learn that one of the young women in the photo is a pole dancer who, sadly, is killed. Another member of the trio, a drag queen, is likewise killed, leaving one left.
This person is the brother of Rachel, and he winds up being in considerable danger.
Chapman takes us on a roller-coaster ride as he deftly weaves together an assassination of a U.S. senator, a photo of the senator in a compromising position, a detective who is about to be married in Las Vegas whose future brother-in-law is embroiled in the photo, extortion, two other murders, a mobster who is being blackmailed, and a corrupt Las Vegas detective.
The narrative’s pacing is outstanding, its tautly written plot is full of surprises. Clever characterizations are tailor made for an action-oriented audience. In the end, readers are left with a heart pounding nail-biter keeping you on the edge of your seats.
FOLLOW HERE https://waa.ai/qQRX TO READ NORM'S INTERVIEW WITH KEVIN G. CHAPMAN
November 6, 2021
"They were singers and dancers, not soldiers or cops. ... The thought that somebody was targeting them for murder was far more frightening than Terry cutting them from the show if they flubbed a line on stage."
Kevin G. Chapman has become another one of my go-to authors. I always look forward to each new book... You guessed it: lock the doors, turn off the phones, get a glass of wine, curl up in your favorite chair and prepare to be entertained...
When circumstances cause Jason and Rachel to get married early in Las Vegas, Mike and Michelle join the wedding party to serve as witnesses...
This book played out like a movie in my head. The details were so rich and vibrant that I could picture everything as I read. My visions were crisp, clear and precise...
Who is trying to murder Jackie? What does Jackie know that is worth killing him over? Will Belle de la Pomme perform again? What really happened to Cricket and Miss Mimi? Will Mike and Jason be able keep everyone safe and figure out what is going on? Are they crossing dangerous people who would see them all dead? Will Jason and Rachel make it to their wedding day? Will there be a future for any of them?
Nothing ever goes quite the way you planned... A suspicious photo makes the rounds in New York to no avail... FBI agents in South Dakota have a puzzle they cannot put together... A festive week in Vegas is planned for the bridal party, beginning with a late night show at The Birdcage... Belle de la Pomme amazes the group with her performance in the spotlight, as does her friend Lizzi in a higher-profile role... Afterwards, they learn that Miss Mimi has been murdered... Jackie is considered to be the only suspect, then someone tries to kill him... Plans fall through on several fronts that leave the group wondering what else could possibly go wrong... A secret meeting is arranged... Do Mike and Jason have the answer to the crisis? Will everyone make it out alive?
I was immersed in this story and got lost in Las Vegas for a few hours. It was a fascinating read that I very much enjoyed. Just when I thought "what could possibly happen next?," I was thrown for another loop. This book had some real "oh my gosh laugh-out-loud" moments mixed in with the murder and intrigue. The story was exciting with never a dull moment and clever enough to keep you second-guessing yourself. The end was worth the wait...
AfterThought: Five well-earned stars. I highly recommend Perilous Gambit, the series and the author...
Kevin G. Chapman has become another one of my go-to authors. I always look forward to each new book... You guessed it: lock the doors, turn off the phones, get a glass of wine, curl up in your favorite chair and prepare to be entertained...
When circumstances cause Jason and Rachel to get married early in Las Vegas, Mike and Michelle join the wedding party to serve as witnesses...
This book played out like a movie in my head. The details were so rich and vibrant that I could picture everything as I read. My visions were crisp, clear and precise...
Who is trying to murder Jackie? What does Jackie know that is worth killing him over? Will Belle de la Pomme perform again? What really happened to Cricket and Miss Mimi? Will Mike and Jason be able keep everyone safe and figure out what is going on? Are they crossing dangerous people who would see them all dead? Will Jason and Rachel make it to their wedding day? Will there be a future for any of them?
Nothing ever goes quite the way you planned... A suspicious photo makes the rounds in New York to no avail... FBI agents in South Dakota have a puzzle they cannot put together... A festive week in Vegas is planned for the bridal party, beginning with a late night show at The Birdcage... Belle de la Pomme amazes the group with her performance in the spotlight, as does her friend Lizzi in a higher-profile role... Afterwards, they learn that Miss Mimi has been murdered... Jackie is considered to be the only suspect, then someone tries to kill him... Plans fall through on several fronts that leave the group wondering what else could possibly go wrong... A secret meeting is arranged... Do Mike and Jason have the answer to the crisis? Will everyone make it out alive?
I was immersed in this story and got lost in Las Vegas for a few hours. It was a fascinating read that I very much enjoyed. Just when I thought "what could possibly happen next?," I was thrown for another loop. This book had some real "oh my gosh laugh-out-loud" moments mixed in with the murder and intrigue. The story was exciting with never a dull moment and clever enough to keep you second-guessing yourself. The end was worth the wait...
AfterThought: Five well-earned stars. I highly recommend Perilous Gambit, the series and the author...
November 17, 2021
It seems our intrepid foursome is back in the thick of things.
And as things always seem to go, they're on vacation when they're dragged into this newest homicide investigation!
Chapman never disappoints with his fully rounded "regular" stars, but each time he introduces new characters and subplots, he draws the reader in just that little bit further. In Vegas for Jason & Rachel's wedding, this time it's Rachel's brother Jackie who needs their help. Cue the villains, local law enforcement who are less than happy to have "help", and secrets that are about to be revealed, and you have the makings of a fast-paced, unputdownable read.
But that's what Chapman is known for. Number Five in the Mike Stoneman saga did not disappoint. And I am ever hopeful for another in the not too distant future.
[I was fortunate to receive a pre-publication copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
And as things always seem to go, they're on vacation when they're dragged into this newest homicide investigation!
Chapman never disappoints with his fully rounded "regular" stars, but each time he introduces new characters and subplots, he draws the reader in just that little bit further. In Vegas for Jason & Rachel's wedding, this time it's Rachel's brother Jackie who needs their help. Cue the villains, local law enforcement who are less than happy to have "help", and secrets that are about to be revealed, and you have the makings of a fast-paced, unputdownable read.
But that's what Chapman is known for. Number Five in the Mike Stoneman saga did not disappoint. And I am ever hopeful for another in the not too distant future.
[I was fortunate to receive a pre-publication copy of the book from the author, with no obligation to review. The opinions expressed herein are given freely and are entirely my own.]
November 20, 2021
Another outstanding suspense. Mike and Jason are off for Jason’s wedding. Unfortunately there are two murders as well. It seems that the bride’s brother is accused. Will they be able to solve this in time for the wedding. Lots of action to keep you guessing.
December 23, 2021
Another fun chapter in the Mike Stoneman series. If it's been a while since you read the other titles in the series, I recommend a re-read of Righteous Assassin to refresh your memory as some of the characters and those adjacent to them make appearances in Perilous Gambit. Not absolutely necessary as this works as a standalone, but a good refresher if you choose to. There are a lot of characters in this book, and I enjoyed getting to "know" all of them. I definitely found myself curious to know more, specifically about the ties between Lizzy and Jackie who seemed to be more than just costars. Because it had been so long (in reading time) since I'd met the FBI agents earlier in the book, I had actually lost track of them when they appeared later and wasn't sure whether the rescuers were indeed that. Ooops, bad Cari!
The vast majority of this book takes place in Vegas while Mike, Michelle, Jason and Rachel are on vacation ahead of Jason and Rachel's wedding, but as we well know with Mike and Jason, their vacations aren't vacations from crime. The week's activities brings them into the world of Vegas nighlife, courtesy of Michelle's brother Jackie who performs as Belle in a show at the Mardi Gras hotel where the wedding party is staying. Jackie finds himself in a troubling situation due to a prior gig he'd worked, and it falls on his (extended) family to try and keep him from being further targeted. And because nothing is ever simple for Jason and Rachel, there are hiccups in their road to the wedding chapel.
A well developed plot and cast of characters as is typical with the Stoneman series. Fun, light vacation read.
The vast majority of this book takes place in Vegas while Mike, Michelle, Jason and Rachel are on vacation ahead of Jason and Rachel's wedding, but as we well know with Mike and Jason, their vacations aren't vacations from crime. The week's activities brings them into the world of Vegas nighlife, courtesy of Michelle's brother Jackie who performs as Belle in a show at the Mardi Gras hotel where the wedding party is staying. Jackie finds himself in a troubling situation due to a prior gig he'd worked, and it falls on his (extended) family to try and keep him from being further targeted. And because nothing is ever simple for Jason and Rachel, there are hiccups in their road to the wedding chapel.
A well developed plot and cast of characters as is typical with the Stoneman series. Fun, light vacation read.
November 5, 2021
Perilous Gambit is a wild ride through the venues in Las Vegas. What a fun novel with unexpected characters driving the plot. The intriguing part of the mystery to me was how our author would throw a bit of light on who the culprits could be and about the time I was on board with that idea, he threw in a twist and completely threw me off track. Who can ever figure out the mind of a mystery writer? Have fun with this one!
December 15, 2021
What do you get when you have murders, mobsters, drag queens, and a wedding?—One page-turning good time!
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2021 Holiday issue of InD'tale Magazine.
November 19, 2021
Overall: It was awesome to see my favorite characters back for another thrilling mystery, this time with some comedy and chick flick worthy moments thrown in. Chapman did a great job distinguishing the characters while narrating, making it easy to follow along. Absolutely recommend.
Story: This was absolutely a page turner, (and I'm glad I was listening to the audiobook version, so I could listen while I did other things). Two murders, a wedding, and a few other twists and surprises keep you wanting to know what happens next. I love the contrast between Mike and Jason, and Jackie was just amazing! Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas, especially when two NYPD detectives get drawn in.
Narration: Chapman did an excellent job of bringing his story and characters to life. Mike's voice is absolutely my favorite. Makes you think of those old pulp detective stories with how gruff he is. It's easy to understand the narration and distinguish the characters.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kevin G. Chapman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Story: This was absolutely a page turner, (and I'm glad I was listening to the audiobook version, so I could listen while I did other things). Two murders, a wedding, and a few other twists and surprises keep you wanting to know what happens next. I love the contrast between Mike and Jason, and Jackie was just amazing! Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas, especially when two NYPD detectives get drawn in.
Narration: Chapman did an excellent job of bringing his story and characters to life. Mike's voice is absolutely my favorite. Makes you think of those old pulp detective stories with how gruff he is. It's easy to understand the narration and distinguish the characters.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kevin G. Chapman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
November 22, 2021
Note: Even though this is book 5 in the series, it works just fine as a stand-alone novel.
Since this murder mystery is set in Las Vegas, there’s plenty of colorful characters. I did enjoy the inclusion of drag queens and exotic dancers. The story starts off a little slow with two paths: all the stuff going on in Las Vegas, and Mike and Michelle back home planning a little vacation with their friends Jason and Rachel. But once everyone lands in Vegas, the action is on.
Rachel has a brother in the entertainment industry, and unfortunately, he has become of interest to the local police in a recent murder. Now Mike quietly goes to work looking into the mystery and he realizes it’s not just one murder, but two murders. Very suspicious indeed!
While the story is set in 2019, sometimes the dialogue makes it feel more like a 1980s Vegas mafia movie. While this sometimes gave me a chuckle, it also was a little jarring with modern cultural references or modern tech. Also there’s some cliched moments and plenty of stereotypes, which sometimes worked OK and sometimes made me cringe.
The story ramps up in suspense and action for the ending. I enjoyed this part of the story the best. I also was entertained by a certain couple searching for just the perfect wedding chapel in Vegas – not too trashy, not too expensive, not too themed, etc. What a challenge! 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Kevin G. Chapman narrates his own audiobook and it’s an OK performance. His female voices could use a bit more femininity and there’s a bit overuse of 1980s mobster voices. That said, he has unique voices for all the characters. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 3.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kevin G. Chapman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Since this murder mystery is set in Las Vegas, there’s plenty of colorful characters. I did enjoy the inclusion of drag queens and exotic dancers. The story starts off a little slow with two paths: all the stuff going on in Las Vegas, and Mike and Michelle back home planning a little vacation with their friends Jason and Rachel. But once everyone lands in Vegas, the action is on.
Rachel has a brother in the entertainment industry, and unfortunately, he has become of interest to the local police in a recent murder. Now Mike quietly goes to work looking into the mystery and he realizes it’s not just one murder, but two murders. Very suspicious indeed!
While the story is set in 2019, sometimes the dialogue makes it feel more like a 1980s Vegas mafia movie. While this sometimes gave me a chuckle, it also was a little jarring with modern cultural references or modern tech. Also there’s some cliched moments and plenty of stereotypes, which sometimes worked OK and sometimes made me cringe.
The story ramps up in suspense and action for the ending. I enjoyed this part of the story the best. I also was entertained by a certain couple searching for just the perfect wedding chapel in Vegas – not too trashy, not too expensive, not too themed, etc. What a challenge! 3.5/5 stars.
The Narration: Kevin G. Chapman narrates his own audiobook and it’s an OK performance. His female voices could use a bit more femininity and there’s a bit overuse of 1980s mobster voices. That said, he has unique voices for all the characters. The pacing was good and there were no tech issues with the recording. 3.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Kevin G. Chapman. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
December 23, 2022
Another sparkling holiday read from master storyteller Kevin G Chapman.
I have now read three of the books from his “Mike Stoneman Universe”, all of which stand alone perfectly well and none of which is quite like the others: there is nothing formulaic in the narrative and despite the continuity of some of the characters they glide easily across genres, as real lives do – particularly those of cops and criminals and drag artists!
Here we begin with the murder of a senator, but never mind that – what grips in this story is the murder of two Las Vegas performers, one of them a drag artist, and the several-times-attempted murder of a third, who may hold the key to all the other killings. Mike Stoneman and his colleagues are tied up rather too personally this time. Friendships and family relations are involved, and the entire book takes place against the background of wedding preparations as Mike’s sidekick, Jason, tries to tie the knot with his pregnant girlfriend. This wedding thread gives the entire story a homey feel, despite the fast-paced action and exotic Las Vegas setting, and one has to love each of the characters as they struggle through a very difficult few days in Las Vegas.
Having met them before, ot was very pleasurable getting to know the cops in the story a little better – their characters are worth the exploration – and Chapman does great villains so I enjoyed these too. But it is the drag artists who are definitely the stars of this book. Sensitively and warmly portrayed, they bring wonderful colour – and some occasional laughs, in a world where nobody, (seriously, nobody), has just one hustle, and everyone loves a costume.
I listened to the audiobook, engagingly read by the author (who has a wonderful repertoire of convincing voices, male, female and in between) and liked it so much that I've bought the e-book as well. All in all a fun read, and a great antidote to winter blues.
I have now read three of the books from his “Mike Stoneman Universe”, all of which stand alone perfectly well and none of which is quite like the others: there is nothing formulaic in the narrative and despite the continuity of some of the characters they glide easily across genres, as real lives do – particularly those of cops and criminals and drag artists!
Here we begin with the murder of a senator, but never mind that – what grips in this story is the murder of two Las Vegas performers, one of them a drag artist, and the several-times-attempted murder of a third, who may hold the key to all the other killings. Mike Stoneman and his colleagues are tied up rather too personally this time. Friendships and family relations are involved, and the entire book takes place against the background of wedding preparations as Mike’s sidekick, Jason, tries to tie the knot with his pregnant girlfriend. This wedding thread gives the entire story a homey feel, despite the fast-paced action and exotic Las Vegas setting, and one has to love each of the characters as they struggle through a very difficult few days in Las Vegas.
Having met them before, ot was very pleasurable getting to know the cops in the story a little better – their characters are worth the exploration – and Chapman does great villains so I enjoyed these too. But it is the drag artists who are definitely the stars of this book. Sensitively and warmly portrayed, they bring wonderful colour – and some occasional laughs, in a world where nobody, (seriously, nobody), has just one hustle, and everyone loves a costume.
I listened to the audiobook, engagingly read by the author (who has a wonderful repertoire of convincing voices, male, female and in between) and liked it so much that I've bought the e-book as well. All in all a fun read, and a great antidote to winter blues.
November 19, 2021
Here are some of the early reviews of Perilous Gambit!
"The narrative's pacing is outstanding, its tautly written plot is full of surprises. . . . In the end, readers are left with a heart-pounding nail-biter keeping you on the edge of your seat."
-- BookPleasures.com
"From New York to Las Vegas, the suspense is like an edge-of-your-seat roller coaster ride in this exciting Mike Stoneman who-done-it thriller.”
-- C.M. Sutter, author of the Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Series
"Mike Stoneman is a wonderful mash-up of Columbo and Magnum, weaving through the perfect crime that will keep you guessing until the end."
-- Donna Collins, author of Dead in the Water
“This book had some real “oh my gosh laugh-out-loud” moments mixed in with the murder and intrigue. The story was exciting with never a dull moment and clever enough to keep you second-guess yourself. . . . Five well-earned stars. I highly recommend Perilous Gambit, the series, and the author.”
-- Moments in Time book review (Gabi Rosetti)
“A cat-and-mouse game about matters of the heart and detective investigations alike, which create a story of love, life, and death that will prove delightful to both prior fans of Mike Stoneman's life and newcomers who arrive at the wedding late.”
-- Midwest Book Review (D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer)
"A police procedural series with as much New York flavour as a hot pastrami bagel and just the right combination of humour and hard-nosed crime to keep the pages turning."
-- CrimeFictionLover.com
“What do you get when you have murders, mobsters, drag queens, and a wedding?-One page-turning good time!”
~InD'tale Magazine
"The narrative's pacing is outstanding, its tautly written plot is full of surprises. . . . In the end, readers are left with a heart-pounding nail-biter keeping you on the edge of your seat."
-- BookPleasures.com
"From New York to Las Vegas, the suspense is like an edge-of-your-seat roller coaster ride in this exciting Mike Stoneman who-done-it thriller.”
-- C.M. Sutter, author of the Detective Jade Monroe Crime Thriller Series
"Mike Stoneman is a wonderful mash-up of Columbo and Magnum, weaving through the perfect crime that will keep you guessing until the end."
-- Donna Collins, author of Dead in the Water
“This book had some real “oh my gosh laugh-out-loud” moments mixed in with the murder and intrigue. The story was exciting with never a dull moment and clever enough to keep you second-guess yourself. . . . Five well-earned stars. I highly recommend Perilous Gambit, the series, and the author.”
-- Moments in Time book review (Gabi Rosetti)
“A cat-and-mouse game about matters of the heart and detective investigations alike, which create a story of love, life, and death that will prove delightful to both prior fans of Mike Stoneman's life and newcomers who arrive at the wedding late.”
-- Midwest Book Review (D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer)
"A police procedural series with as much New York flavour as a hot pastrami bagel and just the right combination of humour and hard-nosed crime to keep the pages turning."
-- CrimeFictionLover.com
“What do you get when you have murders, mobsters, drag queens, and a wedding?-One page-turning good time!”
~InD'tale Magazine
November 23, 2021
Planning a wedding can be overwhelming and exhausting, that is a given. Toss in an unexpected pregnancy, drag performers, a family secret, a territorial cop, and murder; well, the wedding just became a tremendous crapshoot! Mike Stoneman is part of the wedding party for his friends Jason and Rachel. When a couple of drag performers come up dead, and Rachel’s brother, Jackie is about to become number three Mike finds himself knee-deep in murder to try to save the wedding.
The author, Kevin G. Chapman takes family dramatics and wedded bliss to new heights in this novel mixing in murder, mayhem, and mystery! He develops the story smoothly and with details that enrichen the story. His character development is perfect as are the plot twists. The dialog was well written and kept the story moving at a fair clip. His role as narrator was well done also. His performance was clear, smooth, and his being author, as well as narrator, gave his performance an authority to the story that others would not have.
If you enjoy mysteries and solving crimes, this is a recommended listen! The Mike Stoneman series is a good one to get hooked on!
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.
The author, Kevin G. Chapman takes family dramatics and wedded bliss to new heights in this novel mixing in murder, mayhem, and mystery! He develops the story smoothly and with details that enrichen the story. His character development is perfect as are the plot twists. The dialog was well written and kept the story moving at a fair clip. His role as narrator was well done also. His performance was clear, smooth, and his being author, as well as narrator, gave his performance an authority to the story that others would not have.
If you enjoy mysteries and solving crimes, this is a recommended listen! The Mike Stoneman series is a good one to get hooked on!
There were no issues with the production or quality of this audiobook.
Disclaimer: This Audiobook was provided free of charge by the author, narrator, and/or publisher in exchange for a non-bias, honest review.
November 21, 2021
NO SPOILERS in this review! Never a dull moment in any Mike Stoneman thriller~this book is amazing! Can be read as a standalone but truth be told, all of the books in this series are great so, there's really not much of a choice, just get them all! Las Vegas sets the scene for this episode featuring Mike and Jason, two NY detectives going there for a wedding? Whose wedding? Well, one-click now to find out the answer to that question, and immerse yourself in this well-written story, with page-turning thrills, edge of your seat drama, and laugh-out-loud moments from beginning to end. Superb descriptors allow you to place yourself in the setting and ignite your imagination as you turn the pages nonstop as Mike and Jason cross some questionable and dangerous people, interesting situations, and characters while trying to keep everyone safe and out of danger. Twists and turns will keep you riveted and guessing until you get to the well-done, satisfying ending. Some social issues are touched on here, totally not detractors from this book which I'll say again, you need to get now.
December 17, 2021
Perilous Gambit continues the story of Mike Stoneman and Michelle McNeill. In this story, Mike’s partner, Jason, and girlfriend, Rachel, are getting married in what turns out to be a rush job in Las Vegas. Chapman introduces Rachel's gay brother, who performs as a Drag Queen on the Strip. I was prepared to give Jackie (the gay brother) the short shrift, not because of homophobia, but because I simply do not enjoy Drag Queen shows. To Author Chapman’s credit, he succeeded in getting me not only to like Jackie but to care about what happened to him (or her—depending on the immediate circumstance).
This story is complex, with characters ranging from New York cops to Vegas mobsters, and New York mobsters to Vegas cops—honest or otherwise, plus a dose of FBI agents from New York, Vegas, and Fargo (North Dakota). Like I said—it’s complex, but you won’t have any trouble working your way through it.
Chapman knows his subject matter—good guys and bad guys. He portrays them sympathetically, but he gives the reader the satisfaction of seeing justice prevail, one way or the other.
This story is complex, with characters ranging from New York cops to Vegas mobsters, and New York mobsters to Vegas cops—honest or otherwise, plus a dose of FBI agents from New York, Vegas, and Fargo (North Dakota). Like I said—it’s complex, but you won’t have any trouble working your way through it.
Chapman knows his subject matter—good guys and bad guys. He portrays them sympathetically, but he gives the reader the satisfaction of seeing justice prevail, one way or the other.
November 20, 2021
Kevin G. Chapman knows suspense, thrillers and mystery. This book is the fifth installment of the Mike Stoneman series, and we find some of our favorite characters from past books, Jason and Rachel, getting married in Sin City. Michelle and Mike attend the wedding party, and then the plot intensifies. Murder attempts, plans gone wrong, emotional stress of weddings, the FBI…it’s all overwhelming for our heroes. Midway through the book, our protagonists are caught in a web of conspiracy, murder, and more. The protagonists have a lot of work to do, and risks to take, if they want to figure it all out. And if they don’t, they’ll find themselves in, dare I say, a Perilous Gambit. Pick up the first four Mike Stoneman books to catch up on your favorite characters or just pick this one up and catch up. It’s plot stands alone and makes for a fun, suspenseful read for fans of thrillers. I am a pre-publishing reader who was requested to give an honest review.
November 26, 2021
Chapman hits it out of the park again. Mike Stoneman just can't seem to go on vacation without finding a body and getting knee deep in solving the suspected crime. Michelle and Rachel (Mike’s and Jason’s girlfriends respectively) are also involved. They are in Las Vegas for Jason and Rachel’s wedding and this time its Rachel’s brother, Jackie, who is unaware that he has become the target for murder. The four New Yorkers find themselves up against crooked cops, the Vegas mob and the FBI – all while attempting to plan a joyous occasion for the happy couple. Mike and Jason catch the bad guys and make it to the wedding on time, but not before we are on the edge of our seats wondering what’s coming next. The ending of this book comes as an unexpected surprise and I’m eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Stoneman’s life.
December 5, 2021
In a lot of ways this is a typical detective mystery with all the things you’d expect to find in such a story. But this book goes a step further. Almost from the beginning we know who is responsible for the murder that attracts the interest of our vacationing detectives, Mike Stoneman and his partner, Jason, whose primary reason for being in Las Vegas is to get married. We even know why and the reason turns up the heat for the characters the reader will (or at least should) see as the good guys, which draws us in deeper. Multiple tangled story threads that with events unfolding in ways I sure didn’t see coming did the trick to keep me reading. Basically, what you should expect from a mystery, but with plenty of unique twists.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
November 6, 2021
This is my first experience of a Mike Stoneman Thriller and I was impressed with the writing style and the pace of the book.
The book deals with the dark criminal underbelly of the city that never sleeps and highlights the racism and homophobia that still exists in the supposedly most civilised country in the world. At the same time it blends this with the fun reasons to visit Vegas
I liked the characters especially the supporting cast of Drag Queens, Mobsters, Lawyers & Vegas detectives.
With its easy to read style and its page turner pace this one kept me up until 1am in order to get some uninterrupted sleep without worrying what was going to happen.
Fun & Thrilling in equal measure.
The book deals with the dark criminal underbelly of the city that never sleeps and highlights the racism and homophobia that still exists in the supposedly most civilised country in the world. At the same time it blends this with the fun reasons to visit Vegas
I liked the characters especially the supporting cast of Drag Queens, Mobsters, Lawyers & Vegas detectives.
With its easy to read style and its page turner pace this one kept me up until 1am in order to get some uninterrupted sleep without worrying what was going to happen.
Fun & Thrilling in equal measure.
October 25, 2021
This is a comfortable "who-done-it" and brings to mind Dragnet and other such mystery/police dramas. The characters are solid in their communication and relationships. The story flows into a neat, surprise ending. The book stands alone, eventhough it is late in the series with the lead characters.
There could be an issue with the language in the process of interviews and criminal action. I suppose this is part of the scenario.
I was given an advanced copy and the evaluation is strictly my own.
There could be an issue with the language in the process of interviews and criminal action. I suppose this is part of the scenario.
I was given an advanced copy and the evaluation is strictly my own.
May 31, 2022
I enjoyed this book a lot. Jason and Rachel have decided to get married in Las Vegas, and Mike and Michelle are to be their witnesses. While in Vegas, Rachel's brother Jackie, was accused of murder and Jason and Mike are dragged into the murder investigation. The story was creative and amusing. I like that the author continues to develop the relationship between the two partners. Kevin G. Chapman's narration was satisfactory. I was given a free copy of the audiobook and I have voluntarily posted this review.
October 26, 2021
This story is fast paced, action filled and the reader won't struggle to use their imagination. Once again the author's flowing storytelling style came through and kept me captivatingly glued to the pages. Even if you haven't read the previous books in this series, the characters seem familiar, as do the struggles of modern society when it comes to accepting people for who they are. I enjoyed the interaction between the characters and the perils they had to face. It was well worth the read.
May 15, 2023
Great Series
Enjoyed the entire Mike Stoneman series and wanting for more! Love the characters and what I term "plausible story lines." I read a lot of criminal/police procedurals and mysteries and this author has quickly become one of my favorites. For a self - published author, the editing, spelling and grammar were also spot on! Nothing detracts from a story worse than poor editing! Please keep this series going! Enjoyable reads!
Enjoyed the entire Mike Stoneman series and wanting for more! Love the characters and what I term "plausible story lines." I read a lot of criminal/police procedurals and mysteries and this author has quickly become one of my favorites. For a self - published author, the editing, spelling and grammar were also spot on! Nothing detracts from a story worse than poor editing! Please keep this series going! Enjoyable reads!
September 24, 2024
Tension and humanity
Another installment in the Detective Stoneman series. It seems whatever Mike and Jason do, they get embroiled in yet another potboiler. In this case the Las Vegas gangsters team with the Las Vegas police to target Jason’s wedding. Yet Chapman has a knack for keeping the human side human, with love stories and family and people caring for each other. I can’t wait for him to write another.
Another installment in the Detective Stoneman series. It seems whatever Mike and Jason do, they get embroiled in yet another potboiler. In this case the Las Vegas gangsters team with the Las Vegas police to target Jason’s wedding. Yet Chapman has a knack for keeping the human side human, with love stories and family and people caring for each other. I can’t wait for him to write another.
October 5, 2021
Thank you for the free Arc
One of my most favourite authors
Characters are very believable
Fast faced, action packed
Loved it
One of my most favourite authors
Characters are very believable
Fast faced, action packed
Loved it
March 25, 2022
My full review can be found here: https://thereadingwife.com/perilous-g...
July 30, 2022
Very good
A very good addition to the Stoneman series. Las Vegas is the setting and there is a lot of action with some romance.
A very good addition to the Stoneman series. Las Vegas is the setting and there is a lot of action with some romance.
June 9, 2023
Very intriguing storyline with ingenious plot twists. The characters were perfect. The ending was a total surprise...I loved it.
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