Review: Bet Against the House

Bet Against the House Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Catherine Dain
Class/Genre: Mystery Woman Main Character Private Investigator
Series: Freddie O'Neal # 5
1995, 213 pages, Berkley (paperback edition)

When Ted Scope died, his will stated that everything be left to his wife Gloria. This unpopular decision had his daughter Tella, and sons Guy and Mike, heading to the courtroom to challenge their mother and try to gain back control of a company they virtually ran anyway. As the lawsuit drags on, Tella hires private investigator Freddie ONeal to dig up some dirt on her mother in an effort to force a resolution. Tella seems like a normal woman who is quite capable of running a high-tech computer company but when Freddie meets the rest of the family, she wonders how Tella can be so sane. Gloria is kooky, Guy is nuts, and Mike is a quiet genius. The dirt Freddie digs up on Gloria shows an old mob connection in the form of her ex-husband, Larry the lamb Agnotti. Before Tella can use the information, Gloria is killed and Freddie must keep Tella from becoming next on the killers list. Bodyguarding is not something she is good at so she tries to concentrate on finding the killer and therefore ending the need for protection.

Bet Against the House is Catherine Dains fifth book in her series starring Freddie ONeal. Freddie joins a growing list of female Private investigators who seem unable to hold down a relationship, or figure out what their kitchen is for. Although the inevitable comparisons with Grafton and Paretsky are likely to occur, Dains ONeal is a lot lighter, and a nice change while waiting for the next Kinsey or V.I. to appear. The book is full of wonderful character relationships. Dain seems to have a special ability to show mother and daughter at their worst. Freddie and her mother Ramona are worlds apart, and its obvious from the plot line that Tella and Gloria dont see eye to eye on much either. The books are set in the gambling town of Reno, a nice change from the big cities. Freddie admits to a keno habit but insists its not an addiction. This was my first Dain book and I enjoyed it enough that I am going to seek out the rest. I recommend giving this series a try.

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Jaynie - Australia

Book Review: Bet Against the House