The House Always Wins by Tom Minder

The House Always Wins Reviews

• 
  Laura Hundley

  Hmm, this one was hard for me. While there are moments that have you laughing out loud there are others that really make no sense at all. The characters lack the imagination and chemistry with each other as well as seem non genuine at times. I guess there are just so many that are thrown at you in the beginning. While the plot is great and the writing skills keep you still wanting to figure out what the ending will be, I just found myself trying harder to finish the book. Overall I would give this 3 out of 5 stars.
  
  Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
• 
  Teri

  The quirky character descriptions alone intrigued me before I even knew what this book was about.  A cross-bow toting florist?  I needed to know more about this person.
  
  Long Harbor is filled with some unsavory characters, and it's difficult to figure out who's trustworthy - but that's part of the charm of this book.  There's no shortage of suspicious characters, and they'll keep the reader guessing where their loyalties lie, and who did what.
  
  Character development is a strength for this author, and I could easily envision each character, along with their good traits, flaws, and weaknesses.  I also snickered several times over things they did or said, and imagined an Ocean's Eleven-type soundtrack playing in the background.
  
  Although the author wrote another book set in Long Harbor with several of the same characters, both are considered standalones.  I struggled with the extensive character list - remembering who was who, but that could be because I didn't read the first book.  I wouldn't say reading it is a necessity, but it may help with the confusion.  
  
  If you enjoy quirky, well-written characters, a briskly paced plot, and a good heist story, I highly recommend The House Always Wins.  
  
  I received an ARC from the author.
• 
  Rosie Amber

  3.5 stars
  
  The House Always Wins is a fun mystery set in New Jersey. It is the sequel to The Long Harbor Testament, which I haven’t read, but this book can be read as a stand-alone. This is a mystery with an undertone of wry humour.
  
  With a large cast of characters, the story opens with a murder at a casino called Dirty Sam’s. This becomes a complicated case for the slow-paced local police force. As the story evolves, it seems the casino and the lure of its money are too much for some.  With the introduction of the ‘Red Dahlia’, who is a feared hunter with a ten year grudge, seeking revenge, you have a palette for a colourful story. See here for full review
  https://wp.me/p2Eu3u-bIl
• 
  Victoria Lees

  The House Always Wins is Tom Minder's second mystery set in Long Harbor with Chief of Police Mark Porfino and Detective Ted Hanson on the murder case. Ex-priest Jim Cooper is back complete with all his flaws. In fact, all the characters in Minder’s The House Always Wins are unique, lively, and flawed.
  
  The story moves along crisply and the reader has to wonder how the puzzle pieces will fit together. Minder has the ability to gather disparate characters’ lives and weave them into a tight, intricate plot sprinkled with secrecy and humor.
  
  Once again, Minder immerses the reader in the shadier side of Long Harbor life. The action doesn’t stop, and no one is who they seem. The reader is left contemplating which characters are predators and which are prey in the shoot-em-up casino murder and heist at Dirty Sam’s. It’s a fun read!
  
• 
  Cassandra Ulrich

  Tom Minder's "The House Always Wins" is an enjoyable read once you have a handle on the many different characters introduced in the first few pages. For readers who don't like headhopping in a scene, it's a bit of a whirlwind at times. Even so, the plot is interesting and keeps the story moving forward. I was surprised by the unique ending which implies the author may have more plans for these characters.
• 
  Trina

  I received this arc from Netgalley.
  
  I absolutely loved this book. What an entertaining read. I found myself laughing out loud at the humorous parts. I look forward to more books by this author.