Better to Be Lucky

Roy Ballard Mysteries, Book 7

By: Ben Rehder

Narrated by: Johnny Peppers

Length: 7 hrs and 50 mins

Publisher's Summary

The trouble at the Conlee’s lakeside estate begins when vandals topple and destroy an expensive Italian fountain. Then they slash the tires and damage the paint job on a Jaguar. That’s when Roy Ballard's client, the insurance company, asks him to catch the vandal in the act and prevent future claims. 

Surprisingly, the homeowner, Norman Conlee, opposes the idea. He intends to address the problem himself by fencing the property and keeping his revolver handy. Eventually, though, he gives in, and Roy goes to work. It’s not long before the case escalates in a way nobody saw coming. Roy will need some luck to close this case before he winds up a victim himself.

©2020 Ben Rehder (P)2021 Ben Rehder

A Great Mystery

I loved this audiobook. The murder mystery is complicated and intriguing.I Iike mysteries that keep me guessing until the end, which this book delivers. Johnny Peppers does a great job with the narration and voices bringing this book to life.

it takes a village

Vigilante justice or mercy killing?? There were so many twists and turns in this web of deception that involved many people. Luck was on this PI's side. There were so many times things could have gone left. I liked that he doesn't back down regardless of danger to himself, and he stays on it until he gets the answers. This was a suspenseful interesting story that I enjoyed listening to. I voluntarily listened to a free copy of this and am giving an honest review. The narrator did a great job bringing the characters and story to life.

Roy Ballard!

Better to Be Lucky is the 7th Roy Ballard book that I've listened to. I really enjoy Ben Rehder's writing style and find Johnny Peppers to be the voice of Roy. I had not expected the directions the book would go, and totally enjoyed it.

Better to find a good book

Sorry this book just wasn't for me. I have listened all the books by this author and have usually loved them but this book I struggled to finish. There was just to many characters for me to keep them all striaght and it just seemed very slow. I also felt that the humour and normal banter between the characters was missing. I did like Roy's new girl friend and the banter between them which was a high light of the story but as the author kept breaking up the mystery with counselling sessions with Mia, I kind of knew where it was going to go. Roy is still capable of solving cases and a great main character. I guess I just missed Mia. The author did mange to surprise me with the unusual ending and I certainly didn't see that coming
Roy is hired to find out who is vandalizing property by the insurance company. Instead he gets caught up in a mixer investigation when the home owner is killed. With a number of suspects Roy and his trusty camera will have his work cut out for him, especially after separating with Mia. Can be go it alone and find the killer?
The narrator was okay but I am not sure if his voice got a bit monotonous which was why I struggled to follow along. He is usually very good and think it was more me than him.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent

I love these!
Roy is a good character & the stories just keep going.
I’ve listened to them all & look forward to them each time.
Narrator was great, always is.

Great Series

Another day and another dollar, Norman Conlee owns a nice large house in the best part of the neighbourhood, but vandals have destroyed an expensive Italian fountain and Roy has been tasked by the insurance company to see if it's genuine or if the insurance company is being ripped off. Norman Conlee is not the Mr Nice Guy and does everything in his power to oppose Roy trying to catch these vandals in the act, makes you wonder if he's got anything to do with it and his wife in a wheelchair you would think he might have given her a bit more thought and more about her needs, he also has his niece on his wife's side living in and a boyfriend who may or may not have a dark side some nasty piece of work.
Norman does come to a sticky end, so not plain sailing Roy has to work hard and fast and without Mia giving a hand as their last job together took it out of her and she ended up seeing a therapist, does it help only Mia can tell, but she does still keep in contact with Roy and you never know, and in the end, she has decided to give it another go, just love this series.

Another great book

I loved this the latest book in the Roy Ballard mysteries. With the dynamics at the beginning of the book totally changed I was wondering what would happen. But like all the other books, the story soon had you hooked with numerous twists and turns and a host of baddies out for revenge. A case of vandalism soon turns into something much more serious and Roy is in the thick of it again. The ending was great and I'm really looking forward to the next in the series. Great narration as always.

A great read!

Although this is the 7th story in the Roy Ballard mystery series, this was the first book I had read ( listened to) it took me a little while to get used to Roy's inner dialog and jokes, but as the story progressed and I got to know Roy's character they came across as mildly amusing and quirky rather then annoying. The story and side story (Roys love interest) was perhaps a little predictable and convenient so I never on tenterhooks but I have to say that overall I did enjoy the book, which is very well written with a likeable character in Roy, and I immediately downloaded book 1 from Audible so that I can start from the beginning. I also have to give credit to a great narration by Johnny Peppers who keeps you engaged throughout.

Fantastic Story, loved the Narrator

Love all the twists and turns, this is my favourite book thus far by Ben

Loved it

Loved it loved it loved it. Does not disappoint again and it was a really exciting case this time and I loved Roy’s usual distain for people and his ability to always get himself into trouble. I was really pleased with the ending as I was starting to get worried. Can’t wait for the next book.

Roy's Back

Having listened to Roy Ballard books 1 - 6 in quick succession, the wait for book 7 seemed so long! I was desperate to discover what would happen to Roy and Mia. Mr Rehder played with my emotions. One moment I was heartbroken, then I was laughing at Roy's quick, dry wit and then worried for his safety. Another seemingly every day case went sideways and there were all kinds of vermin crawling out of the woodwork. Just when you think everything is sorted, Mr Rehder throws a curve ball and now I'm hankering after book 8. Another excellent performance from Johnny Peppers is the cherry on top of this delicious offering. Congratulations all round.

Even better than before.

I've listened to all the Roy Ballard books and this for me was on par if not better than the last few books. The same humour but without partner Mia in tow. Rounded, believable and wonderfully narrated by Johnny Peppers. Now when can I have the next installment? 5/5 for me.

Another good case for my fave legal videographer.

Ballard is back. He has a new case to investigate and not entirely unsurprisingly it turns into a messy situation involving murder, blackmail and a lot more than insurance fraud.
The story is really easy to listen to. Excellently narrated by Johnny Peppers who gives the story a great modern noir feeling.
Mia is much more of a background character in this story and I missed her involvement with the investigations.
I did enjoy this book, although it's not my favourite in the series, but I will look out for the next with much anticipation.