From Publishers Weekly
Leaving their beloved Seattle B&B, which is being renovated, Judith McMonigle Flynn and husband Joe take their two squabbling mothers and Judith's cousin Renie to Lake Stillasnowamish Resort Casino in this winning addition to Daheim's long-running cozy series (after 2002's Silver Scream). Soon after arriving at the resort, the cousins find Salome, the gorgeous magician's assistant, stabbed to death after an evening show. Ever curious, Judith begins searching for clues to Salome's murder. Joe, an ex-police officer and friend of the casino's manager, takes charge of the investigation, leaving Judith and Renie-when Judith can draw her cousin away from the slot machines and gaming tables-to continue their own inquiries into the growing list of suspects and yet another murder. The usually feisty Renie becomes even feistier as her gambling obsession grows. The mothers, always humorous, appear to particular comic advantage when left to their own devices in this new and exciting world for them. While some Daheim devotees might feel the surprise twist ending isn't fair to Judith, most fans should welcome the change of pace.Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description

With major renovations under way at Judith McMonigle Flynn's fire-gutted Hillside Manor B&B, the distressed hostess is joining her family at the Stillasnowamish Casino on Native American land. Instead of breathing in soot and plaster dust, she's enjoying (up to a point) the lavish in-house entertainment -- until the magic dies abruptly for master illusionist the Great Mandolini. The discovery of his attractive assistant (and ex-wife) skewered on one of his props has put a crimp in the magician's act, and Tribal Police Detective Jack Jackrabbit asks Judith's ex-cop spouse's help with the investigation. Hubby Joe wants his snooping wife and her cantankerous cousin Renie to steer clear. But all bets are off when Corpse Number Two materializes from among Mandolini's adoring oddball entourage. It's going to take serious sleight-of-hand to unravel this tangled rope trick -- and if the cousins aren't careful, they might end up being a killer's final act.


About the Author
Mary Richardson Daheim is a Seattle native who started telling stories with pictures because she didn't know how to write.  After acquiring the rudiments in grade school, Daheim penned her first mystery novel at age eleven.  She admits it was terrible, but "showed promise."  Thus encouraged, she went on to graduate from the University of Washington's School of Communications, having acquired the knowledge and skills to support herself until she wrote a better book. In 1983, Daheim published her first historical romance, Love's Pirate, for Avon Books.  She followed this award-winning novel with Destiny's Pawn, Pride's Captive and Passion's Triumph, all for Avon, as well as several historicals for Harlequin.  An avid mystery reader, Daheim decided to try her hand at murder and mayhem with the creation of the Bed-and-Breakfast series from Avon, beginning with Just Desserts, and followed by Fowl Prey, Holy Terrors, Dune to Death, Bantam of the Opera, A Fit of Tempera and Major Vices. Daheim is married to David Daheim, an instructor of cinema, literature, and English at Shoreline Community College.  The Daheims have three daughters: Barbara, Katherine, and Magdalen.  Daheim is member of the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America and Romance Writers of America.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

A fire that gutted Hillside Manor has left Judith McMonigle Flynn depressed, frustrated, and in need of a place to stay while the workers complete their extensive renovation. Luckily, cousin Renie has the solution: the Stillasnowamish Casino on Native American land, where Judith can forget her woes amidst the slots and dazzle, spend some quality vacation time with ex-cop husband Joe - as well as with the battling moms, Gertrude and Aunt Deb - and distract Renie herself from the deathly dull conference she's expected to attend. But all their gamboling and gambling come to an abrupt halt when the Reaper gets into the act.

The magic dies abruptly for The Great Mandolini when one of his attractive aides is discovered skewered on one of the master illusionist's props. Judith's Joe, who is recruited into the investigation by Tribal Police Detective Jack Jackrabbit, wants his snooping spouse and her cantankerous coz to steer clear for their own safety. But all bets are off when corpse number two materializes from among Mandolini's adoring entourage of oddball relatives, relatives' relatives, friends, lovers, and business associates.