5 stars for Gambling with Murder by @LidaSideris #mystery #womansleuth #bookreview #newrelease
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5 stars for Gambling with Murder by @LidaSideris #mystery #womansleuth #bookreview #newrelease



Title: Gambling with Murder (Southern California Mysteries, #5)

Author: Lida Sideris

Genre: Mystery, Woman Sleuth Mystery


Book Blurb:


A late-night call is all it takes for rookie lawyer Corrie Locke to kiss her day job at the movie studio goodbye, and do what she does best: flex her sweet P.I. skills and go undercover to find a senior who’s missing from a posh retirement community. One small stumbling block: skirting past security to gain inside access to the exclusive Villa Sunset. Time to call in the heavy artillery. Besides former security guard turned legal assistant—now wannabe P.I.—Veera, Corrie relies on a secret weapon: her mother, a surprisingly eager addition to Corrie’s team. Armed with enough pepper spray to take down a band of Navy Seals, Mom impersonates a senior to infiltrate the Villa, Corrie, and Veera in tow. Turns out the job’s not as easy as they’d thought. These seniors have tricks tucked up their sleeves and aren’t afraid of using them.


The action gets dicey when the missing senior case turns into attempted murder by a criminal mind who’s always one step ahead. Corrie’s hot on the trail, but finds more than she bargained for…when her mother becomes a target.


My Review:


The compelling fifth novel in what I like to call the Locke series. We are back to following Corrie and Veera as they work on a case. Lots of lighthearted moments fill the read with a bouncy air. The in-depth addition of Corrie's Mom as a character adds a new dimension to what was already a great series.


Here, the whodunit has many levels. It starts with a missing person and takes many twists and turns. The overarching question that arrives isn't answered ‘til the very end. This keeps the eager reader guessing and guessing. Part of my fun was wondering who indeed the 'ringleader' was.


A story that plays in many enjoyable ways for the reader. A look at senior life like you may have never seen before. Fun and edgy at times, this is a book that really delivers.


My Rating: 5 stars


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Author Biography:


Lida Sideris' first stint after law school was a newbie lawyer's dream: working as an entertainment attorney for a movie studio...kind of like her heroine, Corrie Locke, except without the homicides. Lida was one of two national winners of the Helen McCloy Mystery Writers of America Scholarship Award and a Killer Nashville, Silver Falchion Award Finalist. She lives in the northern tip of Southern California with her family, rescue dogs and a flock of uppity chickens. To learn more, please visit her website.


Social Media Links:



Reviewed by: Mr. N

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