I don’t read books as fast as I read “Dealing Out Death,” but I couldn’t wait to see what happened next!  Books, movies, and songs all get to a point where you drift off, but Wilkins holds your attention continuously as she paints a clear picture while still keeping the action moving.  Knowing this was based on true life events made this an even more compelling read.  The exciting element of Las Vegas as the setting plus family drama and a hint of romance are all expertly woven together.

• Bruce Wawrzyniak, Now Hear This, Inc.

 

 

“Jo A. Wilkins’s DEALING OUT DEATH is both a murder mystery and a poignant literary tale of addiction and how it can break a family. Written with an authenticity and a fierce compassion, this story will stick with me long after the last page. Highly recommended for any mystery lover or anyone who has a family member struggling with addiction. Both will find much to appreciate in this novel.”

—James Rollins, #1 New York Times bestseller of Tides of Fire

 

“This is certainly not the first novel that deals with a life-long gambling addiction and the layered effects on a Las Vegas family. Told as a mystery, Wilkins keeps the pages turning as she chips away at the cold, hard facts of addiction – that one is willing to risk everything, even family well-being, for the mere chance of striking it rich. The result is a hard and truthful glimpse into crumbling family dynamics – crashing down to anger, guilt, denial, and slowly rising to understanding, healing, and forgiveness.”

 

Randall Platt, Award-winning author of THE GIRL WHO WOULDN’T DIE, INCOMMUNICADO, and PROFESSOR RENOIR COLLECTION OF ODDITIES, CURIOSITIES, AND DELIGHTS – https://www.plattbooks.com

 

 

Part family drama, part murder mystery, Dealing Out Death will not disappoint. Jo A. Wilkins weaves a touching tale of love, lies, and addiction that will keep you eagerly turning the pages.

Amanda Skenandore

 

 

For what it’s worth, here’s my take on Dealing Out Death: Rick Newberry, Author

Bright light city gonna set my soul / Gonna set my soul on fire. So begins the popular Elvis song Viva Las Vegas, portraying a desert town where anything goes, a city filled with people living a “devil may care” existence. In Dealing Out Death, Jo A. Wilkins does a brilliant job of pulling back the curtain of this neon city to reveal the broken lives created by those suffering from an addiction to gambling. Told through the eyes of Annie Mcbain, it is the story of a family shaken to the core by lies, deceit, and murder. Annie’s mother, Connie, is a compulsive gambler, risking everything for the thrill of another pull of the slot machine handle. Rather than giving us a narrative of numbers and statistics, Wilkins gives us a story from the heart. A fictional story based on fact and told from the center of a family falling apart. After reading this book, and because I live in Las Vegas, I did some research into this crushing addiction. Gambling presents the illusion of harmless fun and easy money. For some, this illusion can lead quickly to financial ruin. The odds are always with “the house.” The fantasy that the big win will come with the next pull of the handle is just that. A fantasy. Lives are ruined, dreams are crushed. Or, as the song goes: I’m gonna have me some fun/ If it costs me my very last dime.

Dealing Out Death is a must read for anyone who knows someone with a gambling addiction, or who suffers from one themselves. It’s a story that had to be told, and I, for one, am glad that Wilkins found the courage to tell it.

The murder mystery in the new novel, Dealing Out Death, keeps the reader guessing until the end. The tale is about the dark side of addiction and the affect it has on the family and friends of the afflicted. Written by a daughter at the request of her mother who lived and died addicted to gambling. The author tells a poignant story backed by a lot of truth. The murder investigation unfolds the truth a layer at a time, building up to the revealing of the killer. I couldn’t stop reading this book. I enjoyed it immensely.

Danna j Walters, Author
Blue Moon Series

 

 

Though on the surface, Jo A. Wilkins’s new novel, Dealing Out Death, appears to be a cautionary tale for gamblers, a closer look reveals more. It soon becomes a compassionate story of the family and friends caught in the wreckage of an unrestrained addict. The writing is smooth and well-paced; the characters vivid and sympathetic. A definite recommendation.

Stephanie Cress, Author
The Elements of Chaos Series