On Death Plays Poker
Grabs you like a gambling addiction and doesn't let go. - Star Phoenix
Clare is an appealing character with a lot of potential for future adventures. And she has a great poker face. - Mystery Scene Magazine
No sophomore slump here: Spano has delivered an engaging second novel.
- January Magazine
Spano's dialogue is the backbone of her books. It keeps the plot moving forward at train-wreck speed and you won't want to put on the brakes but you'll crash well after your usual bedtime.
- Crime Fiction Lover
"Smart, stylish and sharp, DEATH PLAYS POKER is an engaging whodunit. Robin Spano's well-constructed plot keeps you guessing, but it's her unstoppable heroine, Clare Vengel, who keeps you turning pages late into the night. I can't wait for her next adventure."
- Hilary Davidson, author of The Damage Done
"I love mysteries that take me some place I've never been, and DEATH PLAYS POKER does that in spades -into the world of professional poker. The twisty mystery kept me guessing as Spano holds her hole card till the very end." - Lisa Brackmann, author of Rock Paper Tiger
Death Plays Poker will appeal to anyone who's ever sat through a poker game...and those of us who love sitting through a fast-moving crime novel. - Mystery Maven Canada
Each of author Spano's characters are ascribed a set of weaknesses that could get them killed as well as a subset of strengths and instincts to enable them to survive and excel at their work. The genius of this tactic is to allow the characters to have a finely honed intuition about crime as well as attribute a myriad of flaws and human frailties to them-allowing them to err in ways that keep the reader guessing as to their motives and future behaviors. - New York Journal of Books
Each chapter in this intriguing mystery is told from a different character's point of view, a smooth transition that's expertly handled. Clare's character is an appropriately tough, but flawed, take-no-crap kind of heroine who's truly likeable. Robin Spano is a fantastic new voice in Canadian crime writing and Death Plays Poker is a winner. - Julia Madeleine, author of No One To Hear You Scream
This is a great rainy-day read, not too scary, but it's no Agatha Raisin either. Clare can hold her own and reminds me a bit of Lily Bard, Charlaine Harris's hard-ass creation. - Picky GIrl
Clare Vengel is an older, less formulaic, slightly slutty grown up Nancy Drew...People interested in a casual read that is highly enjoyable, start picking up this series before it gets much further in. [422] pages goes by fast with a book this good. - FNord Incorporated
Her full house cast could easily be the envy of any soap opera writer...Short, third-person chapters give insight to each character without weighing down the quick pace of the light mystery read. As the players turn over their cards it is easy to turn over the pages. - Sherry Isaac on Quick Brown Fox blog
Dialogue is excellent, very natural, funny, and compelling. - Bella's Bookshelves
I love how Clare evolves in this book...I want to meet her and know her and maybe have her rub off a little of her bad ass on me. - Kari AnnAlysis
Using each chapter to give us a character's point of view added to the suspense of this well-played drama. This was a great read. - Dru's Book Musings
Death Plays Poker is an entertaining, fast-paced whodunit in which almost no one is who he or she seems to be. - Charlotte Morganti, Morganti Writes
I give Death Plays Poker by Robin Spano a rating of Hel-of-a-Writer. She made her characters in this who-dunnit believable, interesting, and memorable. - Helen Ginger, Straight From Hel
A good, fun, sexy mystery - Noah JD Chinn
"Death Plays Poker" - disponibile solo in versione inglese, per il momento - è un noir mozzafiato che conquista grazie a un ritmo veloce e spezzettato...E l'assassino, grazie alla tecnica di scrittura di Robin, si scopre solamente all'ultima mano, o meglio, all'ultima pagina.
Loose Translation: Death Plays Poker - available only in English for the moment - is a noir mystery that succeeds thanks to a fun fast pace...The killer, thanks to Robin's writing technique, stays hidden until the last hand, or should I say, the last page.
-EuroSport (reviewed in Italian)
On Dead Politician Society
Clare is charming and irreverent, an unlikely heroine...Robin Spano's first mystery novel is a treat.
- Scene Magazine, London, ON
Spano spins an intriguing web...a page-turner...an enjoyable read, which bodes well for future entries.
- Quill & Quire
Robin Spano has a real winner on her hands with this first entry into what promises to be a raucous and thrilling new series.
- San Francisco Book Review
An engaging crime novel...Clare is certainly strong enough to take the lead.
- Booklist
"A clever, well-plotted murder mystery that introduces a sexy, profane and appealing young cop heroine in Clare Vengel, and entertainingly skewers politics, politicians, and university poli-sci majors alike." - Kim Moritsugu, The Restoration of Emily
"This bold Canadian press has found another winner in Robin Spano and her new book, DEAD POLITICIAN SOCIETY. It's smart and sassy, with a predilection for tilting at sacred cows and a wry sense of humour. No establishment idea or institution is beyond the reach of this clever satire." - Lou Allin, She Felt No Pain
"I was completely taken by Clare Vengel, Spano's audacious heroine. No tip-toeing around by this lady (or her creator)...If you are looking for something completely different in crime fiction, read this book. You won't be disappointed." - Roy Innes, Murder in the Chilcotin
"Clare rocks, the mystery is solid, and the dialogue is snappy." - Jill Edmondson, author of the Sasha Jackson Mysteries
"A great page-turner with a flawed, but tough heroine...I can't wait for the next Clare Vengel Mystery!" - Nora McFarland, A Bad Day's Work
"In Clare's world, relationships get complicated and mistakes get made, and this is what makes Dead Politician Society so much fun." Debra Purdy Kong, Fatal Encryption
Kelli at I'd So Rather Be Reading: "Have you ever changed purses for the season and unexpectedly found a twenty dollar bill in the bottom of your old purse?...I had that same feeling reading Dead Politician Society. This was an unexpected find and I really enjoyed it."
Kari at Kari AnnAlysis: "Each chapter's tone changed with each character. Writing like this amazes me...A lot of the info we learned about the killer was not actually shared by Clare, but through the eyes of the other narrators."
Natalie at Coffee and a Book Chick: "Clare's interactions with her 'handler,' a more senior officer, were frustrating and hilarious. I mean, could he just say one nice thing or pat her on the back just once? I wanted her to tell him off but I relished each time she had to meet with him."
Erin at Torontoist: "Dead Politician Society is original, inventive, light-hearted, and a lot of fun."
Jason at FNord Incorporated: "For fans of the genre, I believe that this and future Clare Vengel novels will be important to keep an eye out for."
Leanna at Daisy Chain Book Reviews says about Clare: "She's fun, she breaks the rules, and she has a complicated love life that I just loved reading about."
Steph at Bella's Bookshelves: "when I wasn't reading, I wanted to be. I thought about the book often and always wanted to pick it up again."
Kerry at Pickle Me This enjoys Clare's "wisecracking, motorcycling, chain smoking shamelessness"
Stacy at A Novel Source: "Clare Vengel is a heroine who is edgy, upbeat, callous at times yet incredibly sexy. Gripping noir from north of the border! I like her, a lot!"
Margot at Joyfully Retired: "I liked the character of Clare...She was young, liked riding motorcyles and tinkering with car engines - not your typical fashion princess."
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out: "This twist on the traditional mystery format makes for a complex and intriguing story."
Bernadette at Reactions to Reading: "Dead Politician Society is well-plotted, has just the kind of social introspection that I enjoy in my reading and the characters are well drawn."
Pauline at The Wannabe Literati: "Clare is a 20-something biker-chick undercover detective who's a grease monkey, drinks beer, and wears tight jeans. What could be sexier than that? Heck, every character sounds so good-looking - especially her Political Science professor. *insert grin here*"
Michelle at That's What She Read: "each character peels back the layers of the mystery, unveiling a welcome depth to the story."
Jennifer at Mrs. Q Book Addict: "The short, quick chapters leave the reader wanting more."
Casey at The Bookish Type: "The mystery maintains its suspense until the very end, and the ultimate denouement is a deliciously twisted surprise."
Jessica at A Fanatic's Book Blog: "Clare Vengel is, in my mind, a much cooler and much more sassy Nancy Drew. She is the undercover cop I wish I was."
Heather at Acting Balanced: "Robin Spano's characters are rich and diverse and there are many interwoven dramas that escalate the tension and give you multiple killers to look at."
Melissa at Spellbound By Books: "Robin has done a brilliant job in creating strong, unique characters."
Wendy at A Literary Feline: "A quick read, one I enjoyed quite a bit."
Grabs you like a gambling addiction and doesn't let go. - Star Phoenix
Clare is an appealing character with a lot of potential for future adventures. And she has a great poker face. - Mystery Scene Magazine
No sophomore slump here: Spano has delivered an engaging second novel.
- January Magazine
Spano's dialogue is the backbone of her books. It keeps the plot moving forward at train-wreck speed and you won't want to put on the brakes but you'll crash well after your usual bedtime.
- Crime Fiction Lover
"Smart, stylish and sharp, DEATH PLAYS POKER is an engaging whodunit. Robin Spano's well-constructed plot keeps you guessing, but it's her unstoppable heroine, Clare Vengel, who keeps you turning pages late into the night. I can't wait for her next adventure."
- Hilary Davidson, author of The Damage Done
"I love mysteries that take me some place I've never been, and DEATH PLAYS POKER does that in spades -into the world of professional poker. The twisty mystery kept me guessing as Spano holds her hole card till the very end." - Lisa Brackmann, author of Rock Paper Tiger
Death Plays Poker will appeal to anyone who's ever sat through a poker game...and those of us who love sitting through a fast-moving crime novel. - Mystery Maven Canada
Each of author Spano's characters are ascribed a set of weaknesses that could get them killed as well as a subset of strengths and instincts to enable them to survive and excel at their work. The genius of this tactic is to allow the characters to have a finely honed intuition about crime as well as attribute a myriad of flaws and human frailties to them-allowing them to err in ways that keep the reader guessing as to their motives and future behaviors. - New York Journal of Books
Each chapter in this intriguing mystery is told from a different character's point of view, a smooth transition that's expertly handled. Clare's character is an appropriately tough, but flawed, take-no-crap kind of heroine who's truly likeable. Robin Spano is a fantastic new voice in Canadian crime writing and Death Plays Poker is a winner. - Julia Madeleine, author of No One To Hear You Scream
This is a great rainy-day read, not too scary, but it's no Agatha Raisin either. Clare can hold her own and reminds me a bit of Lily Bard, Charlaine Harris's hard-ass creation. - Picky GIrl
Clare Vengel is an older, less formulaic, slightly slutty grown up Nancy Drew...People interested in a casual read that is highly enjoyable, start picking up this series before it gets much further in. [422] pages goes by fast with a book this good. - FNord Incorporated
Her full house cast could easily be the envy of any soap opera writer...Short, third-person chapters give insight to each character without weighing down the quick pace of the light mystery read. As the players turn over their cards it is easy to turn over the pages. - Sherry Isaac on Quick Brown Fox blog
Dialogue is excellent, very natural, funny, and compelling. - Bella's Bookshelves
I love how Clare evolves in this book...I want to meet her and know her and maybe have her rub off a little of her bad ass on me. - Kari AnnAlysis
Using each chapter to give us a character's point of view added to the suspense of this well-played drama. This was a great read. - Dru's Book Musings
Death Plays Poker is an entertaining, fast-paced whodunit in which almost no one is who he or she seems to be. - Charlotte Morganti, Morganti Writes
I give Death Plays Poker by Robin Spano a rating of Hel-of-a-Writer. She made her characters in this who-dunnit believable, interesting, and memorable. - Helen Ginger, Straight From Hel
A good, fun, sexy mystery - Noah JD Chinn
"Death Plays Poker" - disponibile solo in versione inglese, per il momento - è un noir mozzafiato che conquista grazie a un ritmo veloce e spezzettato...E l'assassino, grazie alla tecnica di scrittura di Robin, si scopre solamente all'ultima mano, o meglio, all'ultima pagina.
Loose Translation: Death Plays Poker - available only in English for the moment - is a noir mystery that succeeds thanks to a fun fast pace...The killer, thanks to Robin's writing technique, stays hidden until the last hand, or should I say, the last page.
-EuroSport (reviewed in Italian)
On Dead Politician Society
Clare is charming and irreverent, an unlikely heroine...Robin Spano's first mystery novel is a treat.
- Scene Magazine, London, ON
Spano spins an intriguing web...a page-turner...an enjoyable read, which bodes well for future entries.
- Quill & Quire
Robin Spano has a real winner on her hands with this first entry into what promises to be a raucous and thrilling new series.
- San Francisco Book Review
An engaging crime novel...Clare is certainly strong enough to take the lead.
- Booklist
"A clever, well-plotted murder mystery that introduces a sexy, profane and appealing young cop heroine in Clare Vengel, and entertainingly skewers politics, politicians, and university poli-sci majors alike." - Kim Moritsugu, The Restoration of Emily
"This bold Canadian press has found another winner in Robin Spano and her new book, DEAD POLITICIAN SOCIETY. It's smart and sassy, with a predilection for tilting at sacred cows and a wry sense of humour. No establishment idea or institution is beyond the reach of this clever satire." - Lou Allin, She Felt No Pain
"I was completely taken by Clare Vengel, Spano's audacious heroine. No tip-toeing around by this lady (or her creator)...If you are looking for something completely different in crime fiction, read this book. You won't be disappointed." - Roy Innes, Murder in the Chilcotin
"Clare rocks, the mystery is solid, and the dialogue is snappy." - Jill Edmondson, author of the Sasha Jackson Mysteries
"A great page-turner with a flawed, but tough heroine...I can't wait for the next Clare Vengel Mystery!" - Nora McFarland, A Bad Day's Work
"In Clare's world, relationships get complicated and mistakes get made, and this is what makes Dead Politician Society so much fun." Debra Purdy Kong, Fatal Encryption
Kelli at I'd So Rather Be Reading: "Have you ever changed purses for the season and unexpectedly found a twenty dollar bill in the bottom of your old purse?...I had that same feeling reading Dead Politician Society. This was an unexpected find and I really enjoyed it."
Kari at Kari AnnAlysis: "Each chapter's tone changed with each character. Writing like this amazes me...A lot of the info we learned about the killer was not actually shared by Clare, but through the eyes of the other narrators."
Natalie at Coffee and a Book Chick: "Clare's interactions with her 'handler,' a more senior officer, were frustrating and hilarious. I mean, could he just say one nice thing or pat her on the back just once? I wanted her to tell him off but I relished each time she had to meet with him."
Erin at Torontoist: "Dead Politician Society is original, inventive, light-hearted, and a lot of fun."
Jason at FNord Incorporated: "For fans of the genre, I believe that this and future Clare Vengel novels will be important to keep an eye out for."
Leanna at Daisy Chain Book Reviews says about Clare: "She's fun, she breaks the rules, and she has a complicated love life that I just loved reading about."
Steph at Bella's Bookshelves: "when I wasn't reading, I wanted to be. I thought about the book often and always wanted to pick it up again."
Kerry at Pickle Me This enjoys Clare's "wisecracking, motorcycling, chain smoking shamelessness"
Stacy at A Novel Source: "Clare Vengel is a heroine who is edgy, upbeat, callous at times yet incredibly sexy. Gripping noir from north of the border! I like her, a lot!"
Margot at Joyfully Retired: "I liked the character of Clare...She was young, liked riding motorcyles and tinkering with car engines - not your typical fashion princess."
Shelleyrae at Book'd Out: "This twist on the traditional mystery format makes for a complex and intriguing story."
Bernadette at Reactions to Reading: "Dead Politician Society is well-plotted, has just the kind of social introspection that I enjoy in my reading and the characters are well drawn."
Pauline at The Wannabe Literati: "Clare is a 20-something biker-chick undercover detective who's a grease monkey, drinks beer, and wears tight jeans. What could be sexier than that? Heck, every character sounds so good-looking - especially her Political Science professor. *insert grin here*"
Michelle at That's What She Read: "each character peels back the layers of the mystery, unveiling a welcome depth to the story."
Jennifer at Mrs. Q Book Addict: "The short, quick chapters leave the reader wanting more."
Casey at The Bookish Type: "The mystery maintains its suspense until the very end, and the ultimate denouement is a deliciously twisted surprise."
Jessica at A Fanatic's Book Blog: "Clare Vengel is, in my mind, a much cooler and much more sassy Nancy Drew. She is the undercover cop I wish I was."
Heather at Acting Balanced: "Robin Spano's characters are rich and diverse and there are many interwoven dramas that escalate the tension and give you multiple killers to look at."
Melissa at Spellbound By Books: "Robin has done a brilliant job in creating strong, unique characters."
Wendy at A Literary Feline: "A quick read, one I enjoyed quite a bit."
