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Hannibal Jones #5
Russian Roulette
Washington D.C.'s professional troubleshooter, Hannibal Jones, is enraged when he is forced to take a case at gunpoint. His client is a Russian assassin who will kill Hannibal's beloved, Cindy Santiago, if Hannibal refuses to help him. With no choice, Hannibal agrees to investigate the smooth, wealthy Algerian who has stolen the heart of the woman his new client loves. At first the case looks simple, but Hannibal's view quickly changes when evidence surfaces connecting the Algerian to Russian mob money and the apparent suicide of the girl's father several years earlier. Further investigation reveals that the Algerian may not be who he says he is. Then more deaths follow, closing in on the Algerian and the girl. At first working only to protect Cindy's life, Hannibal is soon chasing the truth for its own sake and must fight his way through past lies, present jealousies and the Red Mafiya to learn the real reason that death is stalking the couple. Hannibal peels the Algerian's history like an onion, each layer revealing a false identity. His search for the truth leads to a dramatic shootout on Roosevelt Island, side-by-side with his murderous client.
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 5, 2009
6 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Austin S. Camacho
32 books234 followersAustin S. Camacho is the author of six novels about Washington Dc-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O’Brien international adventure-thriller series, and the detective novel, Beyond Blue. His short stories have been featured in several anthologies including Dying in a Winter Wonderland – an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association Top Ten Bestseller for 2008 - and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey.
Camacho is deeply involved with the writing community. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.
Camacho is deeply involved with the writing community. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and is an active member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 25, 2011
Russian Roulette
A Mystery/Thriller
Author - Austin S. Camacho
Russian Roulette
Intrigue Publishing
Springfield, VA
Russian Roulette is part of the Hannibal Jones series. Hannibal is a P.I. in Washington, D.C. who is this book gets involved with a Russian Mafiya killer, Aleksandr Ivanovich, who seeks his help in protecting Viktoriya Petrova a young woman, who he loves. It seems that Viktoriya, a beautiful woman of Russian decent, is sought after by every man that she comes in contact with.
It is a great story with many twisted and turns including murder, mob money, theft, etc. Hannibal starts out by trying to get information about Viktoriya’s fiancée, for Ivanovich. Ivanovich is convinced that the fiancée is not who he claims to be. This puts Hannibal in his Volvo, Black Beauty, driving the streets of D.C. and its suburbs (both Maryland and Virginia) tracking evidence and solutions to the many problems created in the search for the truth.
I really liked the story. If you read Collateral Damage by the author I think you will enjoy this book even more.
A Mystery/Thriller
Author - Austin S. Camacho
Russian Roulette
Intrigue Publishing
Springfield, VA
Russian Roulette is part of the Hannibal Jones series. Hannibal is a P.I. in Washington, D.C. who is this book gets involved with a Russian Mafiya killer, Aleksandr Ivanovich, who seeks his help in protecting Viktoriya Petrova a young woman, who he loves. It seems that Viktoriya, a beautiful woman of Russian decent, is sought after by every man that she comes in contact with.
It is a great story with many twisted and turns including murder, mob money, theft, etc. Hannibal starts out by trying to get information about Viktoriya’s fiancée, for Ivanovich. Ivanovich is convinced that the fiancée is not who he claims to be. This puts Hannibal in his Volvo, Black Beauty, driving the streets of D.C. and its suburbs (both Maryland and Virginia) tracking evidence and solutions to the many problems created in the search for the truth.
I really liked the story. If you read Collateral Damage by the author I think you will enjoy this book even more.
June 8, 2009
Austin Camacho’s Russian Roulette, the fifth book in the Hannibal Jones mystery series, is a hard-boiled detective novel about a D.C. troubleshooter who is coerced by Russian assassin Aleksandr Dimitri Ivanovich into taking a case. As Hannibal investigates the background of a wealthy African businessman for his client, blackmail plots, scandals, Russian mob money, and several dead bodies litter Hannibal’s path.
Hannibal’s mix of toughness and vulnerability make him sympathetic to the other characters around him. The relationship between Hannibal and Ivanovich develops into an uneasy partnership as Hannibal continues to search for the truth even after he was released from his obligation.
Camacho juggles a fairly large cast of characters, all with realistic motivations and personality quirks. He is a master at painting characters with details that leave you feeling like you know them personally. Here’s how he describes Hannibal’s person of interest Dani Gana: “He was aggressively handsome, wearing a day’s growth of beard and the kind of self-possessed smirk that women are drawn to and men want to slap off any face they see it on.”
Camacho lives in northern Virginia and it’s obvious that he knows the Washington D.C. area. You can track Hannibal Jones’s movements with a street map as he drives to Rock Creek Park, to Wisconsin Avenue and Connecticut Avenue up to Rockville, to the corner where Florida Avenue crosses Connecticut at the Russia House, to Roosevelt Island. You can just see jam-packed roadways and sense the frustration of trying to find a parking space around Dupont Circle. It’s right on target!
The book’s strengths lie in its solid pacing and many creative plot twists and turns that wind up with a surprising ending. This book keeps you wondering who did it. The main suspect changes often.
Hannibal’s mix of toughness and vulnerability make him sympathetic to the other characters around him. The relationship between Hannibal and Ivanovich develops into an uneasy partnership as Hannibal continues to search for the truth even after he was released from his obligation.
Camacho juggles a fairly large cast of characters, all with realistic motivations and personality quirks. He is a master at painting characters with details that leave you feeling like you know them personally. Here’s how he describes Hannibal’s person of interest Dani Gana: “He was aggressively handsome, wearing a day’s growth of beard and the kind of self-possessed smirk that women are drawn to and men want to slap off any face they see it on.”
Camacho lives in northern Virginia and it’s obvious that he knows the Washington D.C. area. You can track Hannibal Jones’s movements with a street map as he drives to Rock Creek Park, to Wisconsin Avenue and Connecticut Avenue up to Rockville, to the corner where Florida Avenue crosses Connecticut at the Russia House, to Roosevelt Island. You can just see jam-packed roadways and sense the frustration of trying to find a parking space around Dupont Circle. It’s right on target!
The book’s strengths lie in its solid pacing and many creative plot twists and turns that wind up with a surprising ending. This book keeps you wondering who did it. The main suspect changes often.
June 26, 2009
A guy walks into a bar, looks up and down the deli menu and says he'd like a ham and cheese on rye and an open-faced detective. Bartender says the only rye he has is in a bottle, but as to the open-faced detective? Hannibal Jones is right there in the corner, nursing a vodka and coffee...and several bruises.
"Russian Roulette" was my first brush with Hannibal Jones and the thing about the character that immediately struck me was his completely open and straightforward approach to a case. No Sherlock Holmes here folks, as Hannibal is not a master of deduction. If Hannibal wants to know something, he simply goes to the individual, tells them what he is about and asks for information. And while a couple of buxom manipulating dames are included in the tradition of any good detective story, he's no booze, broads and bullets dick in the style of Mike Hammer either. One could liken him, perhaps, to a steely black pinball with shades bouncing where his leads take him throughout the D.C. beltway and beyond.
That brings up one fun aspect of the story. You never know what interesting locations you might discover while searching out clues. After reading the story, I found myself wanting to check out a couple of the sites introduced therein. Another thing I discovered while reading "Russian Roulette" was that I really liked Hannibal Jones, so much so that I was willing to become invested in his personal life and get emotionally involved when both his girlfriend Cindy and Hannibal's relationship with her are threatened.
This was a good read, and one could deduce the mystery if reading carefully. Now that I have been introduced to Hannibal, I think that I'll go check out some of his earlier case files.
Chris Hober
Falls Church, VA
"Russian Roulette" was my first brush with Hannibal Jones and the thing about the character that immediately struck me was his completely open and straightforward approach to a case. No Sherlock Holmes here folks, as Hannibal is not a master of deduction. If Hannibal wants to know something, he simply goes to the individual, tells them what he is about and asks for information. And while a couple of buxom manipulating dames are included in the tradition of any good detective story, he's no booze, broads and bullets dick in the style of Mike Hammer either. One could liken him, perhaps, to a steely black pinball with shades bouncing where his leads take him throughout the D.C. beltway and beyond.
That brings up one fun aspect of the story. You never know what interesting locations you might discover while searching out clues. After reading the story, I found myself wanting to check out a couple of the sites introduced therein. Another thing I discovered while reading "Russian Roulette" was that I really liked Hannibal Jones, so much so that I was willing to become invested in his personal life and get emotionally involved when both his girlfriend Cindy and Hannibal's relationship with her are threatened.
This was a good read, and one could deduce the mystery if reading carefully. Now that I have been introduced to Hannibal, I think that I'll go check out some of his earlier case files.
Chris Hober
Falls Church, VA
April 7, 2010
In RUSSIAN ROULETTE, Hannibal Jones is a private eye with problems. A Russian assassin named Alexandr Ivanovich is forcing Hannibal to work for him, by threatening harm to Hannibal's girlfriend Cindy if he doesn't comply. Hannibal takes the case – investigating the background of Dani Gana, an Algerian man engaged to Viktoriya Petrova (the love of Ivanovich's life).
Hannibal's efforts start with Viktoriya's mother, who seems happy with Gana (or, maybe, happy with his money). The closer Hannibal looks into Gana's life, the murkier matters become. Although, at first, Gana appears to be the man he claims to be, Hannibal runs across other sources who seem to suggest otherwise.
As matters progress, the story introduces more Russian characters than a Tolstoy novel. And sultry women who throw themselves at Hannibal from time to time. Complications pile up, and Hannibal must unravel each twisted new lead.
Ultimately, this leads to connections with the Red Mafiya. Things get messy when people start dying and Hannibal must figure out why.
Meanwhile, Cindy is looking at new houses (along with a male realtor who may or may not be trying to move in on her). This development gives Hannibal further incentive to solve the case, get all these Russians off his back and set things straight with his girlfriend.
Read the entire review at: http://detective-fiction.suite101.com...
Hannibal's efforts start with Viktoriya's mother, who seems happy with Gana (or, maybe, happy with his money). The closer Hannibal looks into Gana's life, the murkier matters become. Although, at first, Gana appears to be the man he claims to be, Hannibal runs across other sources who seem to suggest otherwise.
As matters progress, the story introduces more Russian characters than a Tolstoy novel. And sultry women who throw themselves at Hannibal from time to time. Complications pile up, and Hannibal must unravel each twisted new lead.
Ultimately, this leads to connections with the Red Mafiya. Things get messy when people start dying and Hannibal must figure out why.
Meanwhile, Cindy is looking at new houses (along with a male realtor who may or may not be trying to move in on her). This development gives Hannibal further incentive to solve the case, get all these Russians off his back and set things straight with his girlfriend.
Read the entire review at: http://detective-fiction.suite101.com...
October 3, 2009
This is a fast paced, twisting mystery! If you like the Alex Cross series you will like this series as well! In addition to reading Alex Cross books, I have listened to some on tape and I could just hear this story in my head with the same narrator and intensity!
The writing is tight and crisp with a tone perfect for a private investigator mystery. In addition to the solid mystery, the author does a wonderful job with background descriptions including details of the smells and sights surrounding Hannibal.
Read the full review here:
http://blog.lyndacoker.net/search.asp...
This was my first Hannibal Jones read but won't be my last. Although it is part of a series I found it was fine to jump into this book. Reading earlier stories might flesh out the relationships between Hannibal and Cindy and some of the other working friends but I didn’t feel I was missing anything. It was a very good read.
The writing is tight and crisp with a tone perfect for a private investigator mystery. In addition to the solid mystery, the author does a wonderful job with background descriptions including details of the smells and sights surrounding Hannibal.
Read the full review here:
http://blog.lyndacoker.net/search.asp...
This was my first Hannibal Jones read but won't be my last. Although it is part of a series I found it was fine to jump into this book. Reading earlier stories might flesh out the relationships between Hannibal and Cindy and some of the other working friends but I didn’t feel I was missing anything. It was a very good read.
April 26, 2019
Russian Roulette: A Hannibal Jones Mystery Series was a good read by Austin S. Camacho. Hannibal Jones is a professional troubleshooter in Washington, D.C. Hannibal is forced to take a job at gunpoint. The client is a Russian assassin who told Hannibal that he will kill his love if she won't help him. He is investigating an Algerian who is with the woman the assassin loves. While investigating Hannibal finds a link from the Algerian to the Russian mob. Many deaths seem to follow the Algerian and Hannibal must find out why. I enjoyed reading this book.
January 9, 2021
His business card reads: Hannibal Jones, Troubleshooter. He is former NYPD homicide, former FBI-Treasury, licensed PI, and was a US army brat raised in the Germany of his mother after his father's death in battle. The publisher's blurb is a pretty good hook, so no need for recap or spoilers. The characters have life from the writing and are well done. I love this series! The book I loved, the narration not so much.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review."
November 19, 2018
I'm definitely enjoying this series...this one has all the interesting characters and another "sticky" plot (meaning I am carrying my Kindle with me so I can keep reading), and although I didn't want it to end, guess what? I have another queued and ready for more enjoyment.
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March 12, 2009Washington D.C.’s professional troubleshooter, Hannibal Jones, is enraged when he is forced to take a case at gunpoint. His client is a Ivanovich, a Russian assassin who will kill Hannibal’s beloved Cindy if Hannibal refuses to help him. With no choice, Hannibal agrees to investigate Gana, the smooth, wealthy Algerian who has stolen the heart of Viktoriya, the woman Ivanovich loves.
At first the case looks simple – what woman would not choose a rich African businessman over a professional killer? But then evidence connects Gana to Russian mob money and the apparent suicide of Viktoriya’s father several years earlier. Further investigation reveals that Gana may not be who he says he is. Then more deaths follow, closing in Viktoriya. At first working only to protect Cindy’s life, Hannibal is soon chasing the truth for its own sake and must fight his way through past lies, present jealousies and the Red Mafiya to finally learn the real reason that death is stalking the couple.
As Hannibal peels Gana’s history like an onion, each layer reveals a false identity. His lies and organized crime appear to be the cause of the murders. But to learn the truth Hannibal must survive a dramatic final shootout on Roosevelt Island, side-by-side with his murderous client.
At first the case looks simple – what woman would not choose a rich African businessman over a professional killer? But then evidence connects Gana to Russian mob money and the apparent suicide of Viktoriya’s father several years earlier. Further investigation reveals that Gana may not be who he says he is. Then more deaths follow, closing in Viktoriya. At first working only to protect Cindy’s life, Hannibal is soon chasing the truth for its own sake and must fight his way through past lies, present jealousies and the Red Mafiya to finally learn the real reason that death is stalking the couple.
As Hannibal peels Gana’s history like an onion, each layer reveals a false identity. His lies and organized crime appear to be the cause of the murders. But to learn the truth Hannibal must survive a dramatic final shootout on Roosevelt Island, side-by-side with his murderous client.
June 18, 2012
Washington D.C.'s professional troubleshooter, Hannibal Jones, is enraged when he is forced to take a case at gunpoint. His client is a Russian assassin who will kill Hannibal's beloved, Cindy Santiago, if Hannibal refuses to help him. With no choice, Hannibal agrees to investigate the smooth, wealthy Algerian who has stolen the heart of the woman his new client loves. At first the case looks simple - what woman would not choose a rich African businessman over a professional killer? His view changes when evidence surfaces connecting the Algerian to Russian mob money and the apparent suicide of the girl's father several years earlier. Further investigation reveals that the Algerian may not be who he says he is. Then more deaths follow, closing in on the Algerian and the girl. At first working only to protect Cindy's life, Hannibal is soon chasing the truth for its own sake and must fight his way through past lies, present jealousies and the Red Mafiya to learn the real reason that death is stalking the couple. Hannibal peels the Algerian's history like an onion, each layer revealing a false identity. His search for the truth leads to a dramatic shootout on Roosevelt Island, side-by-side with his murderous client.
June 6, 2009
Russian Roulette was the first book of the Hannibal Jones series that I have read. I enjoyed the book and want to read others in the series to see if the quirky hero is true throughout the series. I was bothered by Hannibal's tendency to rush from one scene to the next. I felt that when Hannibal was interrupted by a phone call, while questioning someone, that he abruptly left - left me wondering why he didn't finished what he started before moving on to the next clue? Just like my real-life friends, Hannibal doesn't always catch the obvious. In many respects, this character flaw makes Hannibal more human, and therefore believable. I found his behavior frustrating sometimes, but then I still like him.
The book is set in the Washington DC area and accurately reflects community. Well written, well researched and certainly worth the read!
The book is set in the Washington DC area and accurately reflects community. Well written, well researched and certainly worth the read!
June 13, 2009
You can get your thrills driving through the Rock Creek rollercoaster section of the Washington Beltway during rush hour or you can read Russian Roulette, yarnmeister Austin Camacho’s latest Hannibal Jones volume. Mr. Camacho spins his mystery threads so masterfully and tightly that soon after entering the world of this page-turner you are hopelessly wound up in Toubleshooter Jones’ latest caper. How does the Russian assassin find and convince Jones to take what appears to be a dead-end assignment? Ride with Hannibal through the streets and suburbs of Washington, DC, and be prepared to be surprised – and thrilled.
– Fred Apelquist, “You’re Entitled to My Opinion, A Balanced Point of View” at www.yetmo.com
– Fred Apelquist, “You’re Entitled to My Opinion, A Balanced Point of View” at www.yetmo.com
December 29, 2013
A compelling PI, Hannibal Jones is the main character of this mystery. Like Raymond Chandler's Phillip Marlowe, he is always after the truth and has a soft spot in his heart for vulnerable women. The mystery has layers, the original job, that he is forced to solve at gun point that of vetting a potential fiancé of the woman the employer loves, is not the mystery is ultimately solved. And before it is over murder is committed several times. Even when there is no money in it, Hannibal Jones is not satisfied until the truth is brought to light.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews