I'm a Fool to Kill You

Rat Pack Mysteries #5

by Robert J. Randisi

A Rat Pack Mystery - When a rumour spreads that Frank Sinatra's ex-wife, Hollywood Goddess Ava Gardner, was seen in the Sands Hotel & Casino in a state of distress, sleuth Eddie G. is asked to check it out. Eddie tracks her down to LA, where he finds out that Ava’s afraid she did something horrible . . . and it falls to Eddie to find out exactly what went down. But someone’s after Ava who means her harm, and soon he’s dodging bullets in Vegas in an attempt to keep Ava – and himself – alive.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Crime

217 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Robert Joseph Randisi was a prolific American author, editor, and screenwriter, best known for his work in detective and Western fiction. He wrote over 650 books, including The Gunsmith series under the pen name J.R. Roberts, and edited more than 30 anthologies. A co-founder of Mystery Scene magazine, the American Crime Writers League, and Western Fictioneers, he also established The Private Eye Writers of America and created the Shamus Award. Randisi collaborated on novels with Eileen Davidson and Vince Van Patten, and created memorable characters such as Miles Jacoby, Joe Keough, and The Rat Pack. He received multiple lifetime achievement awards and the John Seigenthaler Humanitarian Award.

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth entry in the Rat Pack Mystery series maintains the elements that made the first four so entertaining. As in the previous books, Sands pit boss Eddie Gianelli handles a confidential matter for a member of the famous entertainment clique. His massive muscle/friend, Jerry Epstein, makes his usual appearance just when Eddie G. needs him most. Although not officially a team, they work well as one in each story.

This time, it is a friend of a Rat Pack member who needs their help: Ava Gardner, divorced from Frank Sinatra but still involved in each other's lives. Ava finds herself in a dilemma: she woke up in a Chicago hotel room with blood on her hands and 40 hours she cannot account for. She travels to Vegas to get help from Frank, who calls in Eddie (and eventually Jerry).

The addition of Gardner adds a new wrinkle to the series that is quite welcome. Her hot temper and stunning beauty make her a different kind of damsel in distress. Randisi's ability to combine classic mystery with the feel of Las Vegas in its heyday make this book and series a delight.

[Catsalive · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not really my thing as this is not a time or group of people that I am particularly interested in, but it was an okay read. There didn't seem to be much of the Rat Pack in this, & I see that this may be a bit of an outlier in the series. I'm glad to have read it but I doubt I'll look for another in the series.

Eddie Gianelli, Ava Gardner, Frank Sinatra - Las Vegas.

[Vince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love these Rat Pack mysteries by Randisi. The fictional characters he's created are just as interesting as the historical ones. Highly recommended series.

[Dan Blackley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava Gardner. This is one of the better ones. It takes place where Ava needs some help and Frank can't say no to her.

[Julie Failla Earhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Rat Pack takes less than center stage in this fifth novel in the series. The story revolves around Ava Gardner, Frank’s ex-wife. Seems like the bombshell woke up after a drunken binge covered in blood. It wasn’t hers, and she’s not sure whose it was, but she hightailed it to Vegas looking for Frank.

Frank isn’t in Sin City, but he calls on the Sands big boss, Jack Entratter for help. Jack in turns calls on pit boss Eddie Gianelli, Mr. G., to fix the problem, as always. As usual, the bodies start to pile up when Mr. G. takes the case. It’s not long before Eddie is accompanied by his sidekick, New York goon, Jerry the Torpedo.

Mr. G. and Jerry wind up in LA, then Chicago, where Eddie has an unsettling with another of Frank’s friends, mob boss Sam Giancana.

The outing is a little varied than the four previous books. I wanted more of Frank, Dean, Sammy, Joey, and Peter. However, reading about Ava’s hot temper and knock-out looks, combined with all the celebrity gossip was nine-tenths as much fun.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have just finished reading the 5 books currently available in a fun mystery series referred to as "The Rat Pack Mysteries" by this author. They deal with the members of the famous Frank Sinatra "Rat Pack", which also includes Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Peter Lawford, & Joey Bishop, who solicit the help of a Pit Boss from the old Sands Casino in Vegas named Eddie G (Gianelli). He is called upon by the various Rat Packers to deal with death threats, attempted blackmail, and other mischief directed towards them or their paramours (including Ava Gardner, Marilyn Monroe, et al). With the aid of a Sam Giancana mob member named Jerry Epstein, Eddie G manages to save the day.

Fast, light reading and imaginatively done.

[Melodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series of books, but must say that the editing in this one was awful! I usually don't pay a lot of attention to that if the story is good enough, but just couldn't ignore it this time. This was published by a British publishing house. I've read one other book that I can think of from the same company and it had the same problem. Leads to the conclusion that their editing is non-existent. Anyway, this was a good story. Eddie's looking out for Ava Gardner who has a 40 hour time period she can't account for. She remembers waking up in Chicago covered in blood. Anyway, Sinatra, Dino & Sammy all make appearances, along with a cameo from Joey Bishop. Good read, bad editing!

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eddie G is a pit boss at the Sands Hotel in 1960's Vegas. Every so often, he helps out members of "The Rat Pack".(Dean, Sammy, and Frank-Though he's not crazy about Peter Lawford).
This time out, it's Frank Sinatra's ex-wife, Ava Gardner who needs his help. Seems she's had a 2 day blackout. It's up to Eddie and Jerry (a leg-breaker from New York) to find out what did (or didn't) Happen in those 40 hours...
This is the 5th 'Rat Pack' mystery. These books are fun, and are quick reads. Randisi seems to love the time frame, and does his research. I look at Ava Gardner in a whole new light now!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This such a fun series set when Las Vegas was in its glory and the Rat Pack was the main event in town. Eddie G. is a pit boss at the Sands and is buds with the guys. Ava Gardner has lost 40 hours due to a blackout after drinking and partying. She ends up in Chicago with blood on her clothes. What happened during that time? Frank sends Eddie's to find out what happened. Eddie's a pit boss but the Pack trust him and know he will handle things discreetly. So he sets out to find the answers with the big guy Jerry and his P.I. friend Danny Bardini. He ends up in Chicago having dinner with Sam "Momo" Giancana wondering if he'll be leaving the table alive.

[Myr · Rating 2 out of 5]

More of a 2.5 than a 2, but I couldn't bring myself to round up to 3. I enjoy this series, obviously, as I keep reading the books, but with each new title, I find I am a little more disappointed each time. There's just something a little Gary Stu-ish about Eddie that really comes to the forefront when the story centers around a starlet and makes these books a less palatable. Still, Randisi's characters are generally a fun bunch to be around (more Jerry, please!), so I will be there for the next Rat Pack title.

[Stacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Latest in the Rat Pack series this time Eddie is helping Ava Gardner at Frank's request. If you enjoy the others, you'll enjoy this one though maybe it isn't quite as good. However any time spent with Eddie and Jerry as well as Dean, Frank, and Sammy is enjoyable.

[Gini · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay. I hadn't read any of these books, so had high expectations - I mean, the Rat Pack? But the book didn't live up to them.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the words "Ava Gardner" says everything you need to know about the book. Another brilliant, fast & fun read in the Rack Pack Mystery series.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing characters: Eddie Gianelli and the Rat Pack; Ava Gardner finds she can't reconstruct a couple days in her recent past and Eddie steps in to try and solve the mystery

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

Escapist entertainment from a bygone era.