Things change when Belinda crosses Steely Stan, an infamous, chauvinistic poker star with a hazy past, who may be involved in much more than just poker. Hours later, she finds her hotel room empty, carpet bloodied, and Ben missing.

She turns to Frank, a mysterious middle-aged security agent whom she met the night before. He knows his way around Vegas and quickly tells her what limited options she has. Too many cops are crooked, so going to the police is not an option, especially if Stan may be involved. So she is forced to trust him and his deep connections as they try to solve the crime together. Part of their plan includes Belinda entering the tournament in Ben's place, which is the best way for the new tandem to keep an eye on Stan. Things get very interesting after that.

For a mystery this is relatively light reading, and I found it quite enjoyable. Not only that, but it’s also somewhat educational, especially for someone unfamiliar with the increasingly popular Texas Hold'em. The Vegas background adds color to the story and the main characters are certainly likable, especially Frank, whom one could easily picture as an aging James Bond-type retiring Elvis-like to the bright lights of Sin City. Just when the plot seems to draw to a typical conclusion a series of unexpected twists are thrown in, and the book ends with a bang. Overall, this is a good mystery superimposed on a quite entertaining read. Mystery fans will not be disappointed.