Freezeout: A Jake Morgan Mystery

by Rick Gadziola

The Deal: Jake Morgan, ex-cop, gambler, and casino dealer, reluctantly agrees to keep an eye on his boss's great-niece during her visit to Vegas.

When someone keeps trying to accost them and the bruises escalate with each encounter, Jake realizes that it isn't a simple case of mistaken identity. To make things worse, his precocious Britney look-a-like charge has a crush on him, leaving Jake in a quandary as he tries to unravel a mystery that...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1550226894
• ISBN13: 9781550226898
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: ECW Press
• Length: 274 Pages
• Weight: 0.77 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

The action is non-stop and the denouement rocks. A great tale!

As a well known professional poker player, Rick Gadziola has experience in the World Series of Poker as well as regularly being "comped" by major casinos. RAW DEAL is his first Jake Morgan mystery. He lives in Toronto. The tale begins in 1950. Carmine Bonello, family man, major player in the Las Vegas casinos who were being run by the mob, wishes to provide for the security of his family and eventually escape from the mob. It is not to be. He disappears in the desert, leaving his wife wondering if he was killed or if the rumors of his running off with another woman are true. Enter Jake Morgan, who has been drafted by his boss to entertain his niece, Angelica. Uncle Julius lets Jake know that this is no ordinary assignment, and that the future of his job depends upon his discretion and success: "Contini shook his head and blew a stream of smoke at the moon. 'Apparently, Princess Angelica here things you're Sir Galahad or somethin'. I told her a bit about your past, and if she still thinks you know what the hell you're doin' then, hey, I'll give you another chance. But listen here, Prince Charmin',' he said, putting a fatherly arm around my shoulder. 'Let's just hope you can take better care of her.' He tapped a thick sausage finger against the soft-boiled egg on my head, and for a second it was so bright I thought the sun had come out. 'She's out here for a nice visit with her 'nonna,' so let's keep it that way. We wouldn't want any bad impressions from this little part-time job to affect one's full-time job now, would we? 'Capice?'" Rick Gadziola makes the most of his knowledge of Las Vegas and the history of the mob to pull together a sock 'em second effort. Jake Morgan is a little road worn, and his forced employment as a bodyguard takes him down roads he avoided even as his stint as a cop. But reluctant heroes are the most fun, and the glittery backdrop of Vegas provides just the right tone for this tale that turns out to be a very sweet love story. Jake isn't quite as tough as he wants to project, although he can certainly take care of himself. Angelica is a young beauty who turns out to be the perfect foil for Jake. The action is non-stop and the denouement rocks. A great tale! Shelley Glodowski Senior Reviewer

A writer to watch out for...

I've never been to Vegas, but that doesn't stop me from gaining an appreciation through the eyes of Mr. Gadziola - he certainly has the gift of the gab. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the first Jake Morgan novel, "Raw Deal" and picked this new one up the day it was available. The dialogue in "Freezeout" flows freely and easily and his characters get up and walk right off the page. I for one don't usually find books humorous, but this one had me laughing out loud on a couple of occasions.While the plot of Freezeout takes second stage, it certainly is a fast and entertaining read. Jake's trouble with money and girls escalates while giving another glimpse into his shady past. He manages to solve a 50-year-old mystery (although we as readers know the solution from the outset) and makes a few enemies and a few more friends along the way. Mr. Gadziola is one to watch for in this industry (stand aside Robert B. Parker) and I can't wait for June '06 as I'm eagerly awaiting the next Jake Morgan outing and discovering what new trouble he is going to get into next time.

A writer to what out for....

I've never been to Vegas, but that doesn't stop me from gaining an appreciation through the eyes of Mr. Gadziola - he certainly has the gift of the gab. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of the first Jake Morgan novel, "Raw Deal" and picked this new one up the day it was available. The dialogue in "Freezeout" flows freely and easily and his characters get up and walk right off the page. I for one don't usually find books humorous, but this one had me laughing out loud on a couple of occasions. While the plot of Freezeout takes second stage, it certainly is a fast and entertaining read. Jake's trouble with money and girls escalates while giving another glimpse into his shady past. He manages to solve a 50-year-old mystery (although we as readers know the solution from the outset) and makes a few enemies and a few more friends along the way. Mr. Gadziola is one to watch for in this industry (stand aside Robert B. Parker) and I can't wait for June `06 as I'm eagerly awaiting the next Jake Morgan outing and discovering what new trouble he is going to get into next time.