| Title | : | Dying for the Highlife (Dan Reno, #2) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 291 |
| Publication | : | First published April 1, 2014 |
Flush with money, everything is great for Jimmy, until people from his past start seeking payback over transgressions Jimmy thought were long forgotten.
Caught in the middle are private detective Dan Reno and his friend Cody Gibbons, two guys just trying to make a living.
Reno, fighting to save his home from foreclosure, thinks that’s his biggest problem. But his priorities change when Gibbons and Jimmy are kidnapped by a gang of cartel thugs. In a fight to save his friend’s life, Reno is drawn into a case that leaves dead bodies scattered all over northern Nevada.
Dying for the Highlife (Dan Reno, #2) Reviews
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Blind Luck is the second book in the Dan Reno series. Whilst some people may benefit from reading Stateline, the first in the series, I wouldn’t say it was a must as the author gives enough background as to what happens in the first book so you won’t feel like you’re missing out.
I really enjoyed the whole story line to do with someone winning the lottery. What a win as well! $43 million dollars is without a doubt a life changing amount of money. It is hard not to start imagining what you would do with that kind of win fall.
Jimmy probably isn’t the most deserving person to win the lottery. He is a bit of a loser. You know the saying, boys and their toys? I could understand the cars but the whole paying people for sex thing, just made me think what a jerk he was. I did feel a bit sorry for him though, as all of a sudden he gets very popular and everyone wants to share his wealth.
I could very much see this book as a film. It reminded me a bit of the Dirty Harry films or films from that sort of era.
Blind Luck is certainly an entertaining read that had a few surprises in store. There is plenty of action to keep you hooked and certainly interested to see after this one, what other cases Dan and Cody are going to find themselves working on. -
Another fun adventure with PI Dan Reno
A wild,fun filled adventure wit private investigator Reno and his friend Cody, as a woman hires the both of them to locate a long lost son who recently won the lottery. You meet several different people who also hear about Jimmy's winnings and concoct wild scenarios in which they can finagle money from him. A fast, crime filled story as all kinds of things happen during the hunt for Jimmy and his money. -
REVIEW DYING FOR THE HIGHLIFE by Dave Stanton
Dan Reno (that's pronounced like "Renno," not like "Reeno," as in the Nevada city) is a failing part-time detective in South Lake Tahoe, Nevada, an area noted for its beautiful scenery, and rampant casinos. Dan can't find sufficient investigative work, so must supplement his meager income with bartending at Caesars Casino. Approached with a request to locate a missing person which he knows is couched in lies, Dan wants to demur, but finally accedes, only to discover the off-the-grid individual, a person of little integrity, is the recent winner of a high-paying lottery. No wonder if he is sought out!
I much appreciate the new trend in mystery, in which the protagonist is often flawed and failing, but self-analytical enough to realize, and to acknowledge. Such is private investigator Dan Reno, and these qualities persuade me to continue to read his series. -
This is book 2 in the Dan Reno series. Dan is a Private Investigator in California and we were introduced to him and his sidekick, Cody, in book 1. However, this does work well as stand alone but you will have missed some of the background and history.
I am not sure if it is intentional or not but I find there is a fair bit of humour interlaced in the stories. More so this one than Stateline.
The story begins with Jimmy, who is a bit of a lad. Drugs, drink, women .... After living hand to mouth for many years he wins the lottery and is suddenly rolling in money. Problems start when all the people he cheated, robbed or hurt in his past start chasing him for a chunk of his money.
Dan and Cody are hired by Sheila to find Jimmy and then they will get paid. They don't realise what they are letting themselves in for but Dan needs income so they have little choice but to take a chance on Sheila.
What follows is an adrenaline pumping roller coaster ride to see who will get to Jimmy first. When the Mexicans muscle in on the scene it does not bode well for anyone.
Dan and Cody's characters develop over the course of the book into realistic but well defined and complex characters. It was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to Sarah and Bloodhound Books for inviting me on the Blog Tour. -
Blind luck by Dave Stanton.
This was a good read. 4*. -
When Jimmy Homestead wins millions in the lottery, his life is about to change forever. Not in the least because he thinks his charm and the added money incentive will increase his luck but also because almost everyone in his (former) life cannot wait to get their hands on the money and they don’t ask nicely… It’s payback time!
| Introduction |
Dan Reno 2
A man least deserving of winning the lottery becomes an overnight millionaire. A sexy blonde who is used to getting her way by manipulating the men she encounters. An aggressive man and one who has lost almost everything. Oh, and we have Mexican criminals, drugs, lots of booze, sex and brutal violence. Interested? Follow me and enter the world of PI Dan Reno…
| Storyline |
Let’s face it: Jimmy Homestead has made a lot of enemies in his life. Most people would rather sooner than later see the back of him. But winning millions of money can do wonders… There is Jimmy’s stepmother, the gorgeous blonde Sheila whose looks can attract ‘whole ZIP codes’ (loosely translating the thoughts of Dan Reno’s friend, ex-cop Cody Gibbons). She tells Reno her stepson is missing and she wants him to find Jimmy. But Reno, not being aware of Jimmy’s lottery luck, suspects there is more to her story – somehow Sheila playing the concerned parent is not totally convincing.
Then there’s Jimmy���s violent brother, Marty with his explosive character, fresh from prison. Also, Jimmy’s father, John, decides it would be nice to retire in luxury. Almost each party feels the need to hire a private eye – the detective business is booming! Violence and murderous intentions are close by when two nasty criminals, one with slightly more brain cells than the other, decide it is time Jimmy paid them back what is long overdue and someone thinks. involving vicious Mexican drugs criminals might be a good idea… What if I told you others too are scheming to take Jimmy’s lottery money away? Private eye Dan Reno has his hands full investigating whilst keeping his friend, Cody, alive…
| My Thoughts |
Blind Luck is the second Dan Reno detective thriller, the first for me to read. There are so many characters in this thriller that it is at times difficult to follow all the lines – the topics of the novel vary from domestic abuse to rape, from shattered dreams and childhoods to sadistic killers and sexual predators. It is difficult to empathise with almost any character as the author describes them sometimes from a more distant perspective or in a matter-of-fact writing style – on top of that, each has a more or less darker side and the criminals seem to be on both sides of the law (figuratively speaking). The book is a mixture of a third person perspective and a one person narrative, the voice of Dan Reno.
Obviously, Reno is the good guy but he is such a tough cookie with a sarcastic voice that you can’t but roll your eyes at some of his, let’s call them adventures. His good friend, Cody Gibbons, sound s like a bear of a man but also a bit naive. As for the other characters, you’ll have to make up your own mind… Blind Luck is a fast-paced action thriller filled with violence and murderous intents, sex, intolerance, pretty low morals and a touch of sentiment combined with a dark sense of humour – a rollercoaster of a ride!
Although ‘Blind Luck’ is the second book in the Dan Reno series, it can be perfectly read as a standalone – I did so and there were a few references to Dan and Cody’s previous adventures but they had no impact on this thriller’s plotline.
Read the review on my website:
https://www.bitsaboutbooks.net/blind-... -
This is book 2 in the Dan Reno series. Dan is a Private Investigator in California and we were introduced to him and his sidekick, Cody, in book 1. However, this does work well as stand alone but you will have missed some of the background and history.
I am not sure if it is intentional or not but I find there is a fair bit of humour interlaced in the stories. More so this one than Stateline.
The story begins with Jimmy, who is a bit of a lad. Drugs, drink, women .... After living hand to mouth for many years he wins the lottery and is suddenly rolling in money. Problems start when all the people he cheated, robbed or hurt in his past start chasing him for a chunk of his money.
Dan and Cody are hired by Sheila to find Jimmy and then they will get paid. They don't realise what they are letting themselves in for but Dan needs income so they have little choice but to take a chance on Sheila.
What follows is an adrenaline pumping roller coaster ride to see who will get to Jimmy first. When the Mexicans muscle in on the scene it does not bode well for anyone.
Dan and Cody's characters develop over the course of the book into realistic but well defined and complex characters. It was a very enjoyable read and I am looking forward to more from this author.
Many thanks to Sarah and Bloodhound Books for inviting me on the Blog Tour. -
This was a hard book to read, though for decidedly less altruistic reasons than the recently-finished-and-reviewed
Isabel's Run. There was no one to root for in this book.
Jimmy Homestead wins the lottery. All kinds of people from his shady past (more like his shady existence) come out of the woodwork to stake a claim or downright rob him of his money. Jimmy is a piece of work himself with his hard-partying ways and total disregard of women as anything other than play toys (at best). Dan Reno, the PI hired by the ex-step-mother (and I can't help but picture her as Dallas from Suburgatory) to track down her now-rich ex-step-son "for reasons of her own", isn't despicable, but he doesn't stand out as anything special other than being in the right place at the right time. And he's a crack shot, apparently...and conveniently.
While I think the book is well written, and the author handles the huge cast of characters decently, I reiterate that there is no one to root for. These are generally rotten people (at best). Much like the TV show MI-5 (Spooks, I believe, in the UK), while there are (might be) good guys, no one comes through unscathed, even when things go your way. And things seldom ever go any of the characters' ways.
When I read my first Danny Logan Mystery (
Mona Lisa Eyes), within the first 10-15 pages, I was in love with all of the characters and could hardly wait to be able to read more about them and their adventures. By the end of of this book, I have no desire to visit this world ever again. A world can be bleak and dark (and murder is most certainly dark) without being a punk about it. I'm not saying you shouldn't read this book, but go in well forewarned that it is about horrible people. -
This is the first Dan Reno book that I’ve read and it was pretty good.
Dan is a private investigator and is hired by Sheila who is looking for her stepson, Jimmy.
Jimmy has recently won millions on the lotto so Sheila feels she is entitled to some of the money.
There are other people in the area who also feel that Jimmy owes them money too and at one point there’s about three different groups of people all trying to find him.
Jimmy is portrayed as a lowlife and whilst he builds bridges with his Dad, you still get the impression that he’s not going to change.
The story comes to a breathtaking conclusion and I loved the ending.
Thanks to Bloodhound Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book. -
All reviews can be found on my blog at
https://thewritinggarnet.wordpress.com
Guess who's back, back again.....
'Blind Luck' is book two in the 'Dan Reno' series and I think you would be perfectly okay reading the books out of order. Of course I would always suggest reading the books in order so that you can follow the storyline and get to know the characters a bit better, but it isn't a requirement where these books are concerned, in my opinion.
Ahhhh, don't you just love it when you get people talking to you after they realise you now have something they're after? Nothing like one-sided friendships....if you can even call them 'friendships', but you know what I mean. Jimmy has come into a win. A bit of pocket money if you will. Well, if your pockets were of the large variety that is! Jimmy sees dollar signs big time when he finds out that he has won a stinking $43 million on the lottery but, given the nature of Jimmy's personality, I had a feeling that he wasn't going to be heading to the bank to start saving his money for a rainy day...
I couldn't help but liken Jimmy's win to 'fools gold', especially as he couldn't seem to keep the lid on his win and then wondered why people were becoming awfully friendly. Some people eh!
I thought that 'Blind Luck' was an action packed, fire cracker of a read which left me feeling as though I had just ran a marathon! I have to say that, whilst I didn't feel that 'Blind Luck' lived up to the first book in the series, it still ended up being an enjoyable read. There were a few points in the novel where I felt like I was being left hanging, waiting for the big 'DUN DUN DUN', but it was enlightening to see that Dan Reno is still incredibly well travelled!
I honestly thought action books weren't for me, but after reading about Dan Reno, I may be starting to change my opinion.. -
This is the second book in the series, my review of the first can be found here, but this one works really well as a standalone book as well.
The story starts off with a man, Jimmy, winning a lot of money and all the people he has wronged in the past suddenly appear. Jimmy then gets kidnapped, which is where Reno comes in.
We find out about Jimmy’s past and all the people who are after him and why. Mostly though I felt sorry for, and mad for, Jimmy in equal measures for his actions and also the fact that all these people are only after him now that he has money.
The book is brilliant as it is full of action, adventure and violence, which is all non-stop and made the book a very easy read.
Overall I would recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure and action books. -
Great crime novel! Jimmy Homestead is a drifter who just happens to win 43 million in the lottery.
Meanwhile, long lost ex-friends, ex-cons and relatives come out of the woodwork to scam him out of the money.
Jimmy thinks he is living the highlife, whorehouses, drugs, gambling and a new Lamborghini.
What a great life- he thinks!
Little does he know that many people are out to get what they think should now be their money.
Dan Reno is hired by one of these people and takes on the case of finding out where Jimmy can be. First he tracks him to Vegas, then Reno. He never gets paid and thinks it's over.
Meanwhile, crazy people are showing up all over the place! Whew! What a great ride! Lots going on and an interesting take on what NOT to do when you when the lottery! -
Fast Furious.. Money Greed Murder.....
Jimmy Homestead, womaniser,small time criminal,a guy who if he had played his cards right could have done well in life..Now though he is down to his last two dollars..He buys a lottery ticket and later that day he finds he has won 43million dollars. ..Whoop whoop ..fantastic.. Yes! Em ..no cos Jimmy's problems are just starting.. Dan Reno is working in a casino at the bar when a beautiful blonde walks in...She knows Reno has been a bounty hunter..done some P.I.work and wants to hire him to find Jimmy...Reno knows the story she spins is not the whole truth but goes along.But here's the twist it seems everyone is looking for Jimmy Homestead.... When Reno teams up with Cody Gibbons....they have a few adventures along the way.. Jimmy meanwhile is here there and everywhere... Then when Cody eventually hits paydirt ...Things get very dark..It seems Cody and Jimmy have disappeared.. Can Reno find them.? Just what the hell has happened? This story weaves..and twists..takes you on a journey...there are so many villains on the go at once you know what they say follow the Money....The cast of characters most of them all out for themselves...but there are one or two that kind of pull at your heartstrings...Fast, furious..All the ingredients... Money...greed...Murder....A fantastic read... Reno is a chap who acts first thinking on his feet...What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.... baby... -
A book with lot of action and murders. Well written book about lottery winner and people from his life who showed how greedy they are. When you start to read you keep reading till the very end.
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Blind luck by Dave Stanton.
This was a good read with good characters. Found it slow in places. 4*. -
DAN IS BACK! Blind Luck is book two in the Dan Reno series and can be read as a standalone but with all series’s are best read in order. Yet again I was immersed into Dan’s PI (Private Investigator) world.
Another action packed story. Blind Luck contains many fights, guns, whores, gambling, deaths, crashes, and even an explosion! Blind Luck will keep you on the edge of your seat and immersed throughout.
Poor Jimmy is the most wanted man ever after winning the lottery and everyone wants to get their hands on him and his money no matter what the costs, some will kill for it. I actually felt sorry for Jimmy as everyones just using him for his money… Dan always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time or maybe thats just how Dan will always be… A little trouble maker for the police among the investigations.
I awarded a well deserved four stars and I am enjoying this series and cannot wait to see what lies ahead for Dan in this series. Highly recommend this series so far, I am loving Dan’s character. Another well written, fast paced story to devour. -
I love Dan Reno. He's messy and complicated and has the most surprising luck, considering the scrapes he finds himself in. As a character, he's absolutely fascinating. He's real and gritty and brilliant and an idiot all at the same time. He doesn't take any guff from anybody and he knows without making some bucks, he's going to lose everything. Again.
I met Cody in the last Reno book and he sort of grew on me. He's kind of a jerk and you get to see his schmuck side in this book. He definitely comes out as a hero by the end though, which just made me cheer internally.
In Stanton's normal style, we start off with a big exciting hot mess. It's a great 'what if' story and the most interesting people come out of the woodwork! Some are good and some are bad and they all want Jimmy's money. The problem is that most of the story, Jimmy has no idea that he's successfully evading all these people! He's just out having a good time with everyone on his tail and just when they're about to catch him, he takes off somewhere else! Jimmy isn't the brightest tool in the shed, and definitely not the most moral, but I found him pretty darn likable with a good heart hidden deep deep deep down inside.
At the end of this grand chaotic mess, we end with an explosive bang. Once the blood starts flying, it really gets crazy! I love Stanton's style of build up and then delivery. As usual, Reno and Cody find themselves in a dire situation. There's no definite survival and the local cops are riding them pretty hard.
Reno is one of my favorite literary detectives and once again he delivers in this book. His charisma and wit go a long way towards making this a fabulous read. -
It's safe to say that this is an action packed story that led me on quite a journey as Dan Reno is hired to try and find Jimmy who recently won the lottery. Even if you haven't read the first book in the series I think Blind Luck still works as a standalone. Although to get the full picture and background of events then of course it could be a good idea to start at the beginning.
Reno as ever finds trouble or possibly it finds him either way this makes for a thrilling story with twists and surprises popping up along the way. I managed to read this book pretty quickly as the pace is fast and lively. There are a few characters to follow with some pretty nasty individuals. I have to mention Jimmy as he was an interesting character but not necessarily very likeable. Although since winning the lottery his life becomes very complicated and not in a good way.
It really was great to catch up with Reno and his friend Cody. I thought you also got to know him just that little bit better than in book one. I can't wait to see what is in store for Cody and Dan in the next book!
Fast and furious action along with trouble around every corner. Blind Luck will take you on quite a journey!
Four stars from me!
With thanks to Sarah at Bloodhound Books for my copy. This is my honest and unbiased opinion. -
Dan Reno runs a private investigation agency aptly named Dan Reno—Private Investigations. When a woman, Sheila Homestead—now Majorie—hires him to find her missing stepson, Jimmy he jumps at the offer.
According to Sheila Jimmy refused to get a job or go to college. Then he was arrested for DUI, and later for possession of a controlled substance. After that, he started drifting, moving from one town to another.
She thinks Jimmy became a heavy drinker, like his father, and was hooked on drugs.
Sheila married her husband John Homestead when she was seventeen and he was twenty-eight, and he had two sons from a previous marriage. A decision she regrets.
Sheila divorced him ten years later when she found out he was a violent drunk. Marrying John was something she regrets and she’s spent the last twelve years building her life together
She also confided that before Jimmy left for good he raped her.
Meanwhile, there’s news circulating in the paper, *San Jose Mercury.* about a San Jose native who had won a $43 million lottery. The native turns out to be Jimmy. After doing some internet research himself, Dan later learns that four weeks ago, Jimmy Homestead had won a California State Lottery prize of $43 million.
The last place Jimmy worked was at a diner down in Barstow. That was within the last six months.
There are people who are also hoping for a slice of the pie:
There’s Jimmy’s uncle, Mort Homestead, a forty-three-year-old white man convicted of investment fraud, which resulted in his brother John going bankrupt.
After five years in the state prison at Folsom, his parole was granted. He had learned of his nephew winning the lottery while in prison.
Heather Sanderson who’s married to Eric. Heather blames Jimmy for seducing her when she was a teenager and later giving her venerable warts before moving on to her younger sister and bragging about it.
Tony Sanzini whose stake Jimmy ripped off. -
Quick Plot: An unlovable downtrodden nearly homeless person has won the lottery of 40 million dollars and when there is money there is trouble. People from his past all come to get a handout from Jimmy. His estranged dad, friends, high school exes all rush to get a piece of the sweet deal, sometimes by force. Dan Reno is hired by Jimmy's stepmother to locate and coerce money out of him but things go awry when the Mexican drug cartel gets involved.
This is like a modern noir, seedy characters, femme Fatales, and shady bars; it has it all. The characters are intriguing yet forgettable as there are too many of them, their backstories populate the bulk of the novel and it just elongates the read. If the number of characters was reduced than probably it would have been a crisp novel. Additionally, the location of this novel is based in south lake Tahoe which seems like a happening place, if it were in some remote town or a big city with shady lightning and seedy alleys that would have done the trick. A quick and an enjoyable read none the less. -
Dying for the Highlife was my third Dan Reno/Dave Stanton novel. I have enjoyed them all, but so far, Dying for the Highlife is my favorite.
A 'down and outer' who has wasted his life drinking whiskey and frequenting whore houses gets lucky and wins a $43 million lottery. Suddenly, long lost family members are chasing him for their share as are crooks that he's associated with over the years.
Dave Stanton cleverly weaves a number of plots and subplots together to produce an outstanding, hard to put down read. I read Dying for the Highlife in one session, something that I only normally do with John Grisham novels.
The Dan Reno series is made up of standalone novels. There are no annoying hooks in the last chapters enticing you to buy the next book in the series. Stanton doesn't need to do this because once you've read one Dan Reno novel, you're going to want to read the rest.
The writing is flawless, the story is gripping and this is a 5-star novel in all ways. -
Blind luck is the second instalment in the Dan Reno series and a solid entry which serves as a standalone story as well as another chapter in the series.
As with the first book, Blind Luck is written in first-person, past-tense throughout, which is a staple for this sort of 'gumshoe' type read.
As before, Stanton's use of dialogue is skilled and his plotting is tight and aggressively-paced. This reader would like Stanton to explore the consequences on Reno of his lifestyle and adventures, and to develop the character with each title. Reno is very fine creation and I'm looking forward to seeing him evolve as the series progresses.
If love you well-written books with plenty of action and some well-constructed set pieces, biting and dark humour, then you could do a lot worse than Blind luck.
Blind luck is available now at Amazon and from Bloodhound Books. -
Jimmy thinks his luck is in! He can live the life he feels he has always deserved.
Out of the woodwork come the snakes, sniping on his helps wanting justification for his past and their involvement with him.
A tangled woven tale of who shall get to him first, comes to play. It really is a game of cat and mouse.
Who is going to get to Jimmy first?
Reno has his hands full trying to find where Jimmy is, and then keep the game a safe play.
This was a dangerous place for him to be and a great follow on from the previous read.
Reno is a flawed, but fabulous character to read about.
I thoroughly enjoyed this tense and thrilling read.
I will be ready to download the next book in the series as soon as it is available. -
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
This is the second book in the Dan Reno series and I have enjoyed them both. This book for me could easily be read as a stand alone but the first one is definitely worth a read if you are looking to read the whole series.
The plot in this book is great, it is well paced and I really enjoyed the story. The characters are work really well with this plot, and Dan is a really great character, I am really liking him and his way of working and there is certainly a lot of action and entertainment when he is around! I loved how the suspense built towards the end of the book and the finale was very good.
Four stars to this one from me - I am really enjoying this series and looking forward to reading the next book!! -
The second one was as good as the first!
I am pretty impressed with Mr Stanton's writing style. I just kept reading. I continued on wondering just how all these greedy people were going to fare. Was Jimmy gonna end up broke and a sad, lonely drunk like he was before his big win? Funny how every bad guy in your life (and some new ones) come calling when there's money to be had. Well, Dan and Cody certainly added to the excitement! Dan is one lucky man! He always manages to survive some pretty tough situations. Fabulous! On to #3. Thanks again! -
If you are looking for action and murders, this is a book for you. You may never talk about winning the lottery again as it was the beginning of the end for one lucky man. Everyone he had ever interacted with felt entitled to a piece of it. The result was horrifying. The winner and about a dozen other people ended up dead. It was certainly filled with action and intrigue.
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A step down from previous
The overall plot was good, but the sex stuff went beyond the necessary. I like the character Reno to a certain point but the stories obsession with sex though somewhat accepting in the first book, it got old quick in this one.
I may go to the next book but not for now. -
Entertaining thriller filled with page turning fun
Very fun book full of moxie and unexpected curves. I enjoyed the smiles, laughter and excitement of this twisted thriller.
I eagerly anticipate reading more of this author's ink. -
Following people for a living puts you in the crosshairs
Will Dan Reno ever get a good night's sleep? Living in Nevada/California makes for a life of travel. Why does he have to pursue the lottery winner? Only if he wants to be paid & still live.
