cover image This Isn’t a Game

This Isn’t a Game

David Moss. Poisoned Pen, $26.95 (236p) ISBN 978-1-4642-0627-6

Jackson Oliver, the hero of Moss’s thoroughly enjoyable first novel and series launch, owns a Costa Rica–based online betting site, VegasVegas. In addition to sporting events, VegasVegas is giving odds on the outcome of the trial of Hollywood film director Andrew Marvel, who’s charged with murdering his wife: acquittal, guilty verdict, and—at 100 to one—dropped charges. When a punter logs on asking to place a $1,000 bet on dropped charges, Jackson obliges, convinced there’s no chance that he’ll have to pay out. A few days later, a video supplying an airtight alibi for Marvel turns up. Thinking that the timing is just too pat, Jackson sets off for Vermont, the scene of the murder and the place where the bet was made. He has only three days to discover if his bettor is a murderer, an accomplice, or just lucky. After that he must pay up or be blacklisted from the gambling industry. This winning debut offers insights into gambling odds, antiques, the raising of buffalo, the film industry, and small-town morality. (Oct.)