Cash Plays

Seven of Spades, Book 3

By: Cordelia Kingsbridge

Narrated by: Wyatt Baker

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

Book three in the Seven of Spades series.

In this game, the stakes are life or death.

The Seven of Spades is back with a vengeance - the vigilante serial killer has resumed their murderous crusade, eluding the police at every turn. But a bloodthirsty killer isn’t the only threat facing Sin City. A devious saboteur is wreaking havoc in Las Vegas’s criminal underworld, and the entire city seems to be barreling toward an all-out gang war.

As Detective Levi Abrams is pushed ever closer to his breaking point, his control over his dangerous rage slips further every day. His relationship with PI Dominic Russo should be a source of comfort, but Dominic is secretly locked in his own downward spiral, confronting a nightmare he can’t bear to reveal.

Las Vegas is floundering. Levi and Dominic’s bond is cracking along the seams. And the Seven of Spades is still playing to win. How many bad hands can Levi and Dominic survive before it’s game over?

©2018 Cordelia Kingsbridge (P)2019 Riptide Publishing

So addictive!

I’m going to start with a confession; I cheated a few months back. I was so addicted to this series that I couldn’t wait for the audios to be produced and released, so I picked up the print version and gobbled up books 3-5. I can’t say that I regret anything though, because now I get to go back and experience the magic once again and feel the adrenaline rush while hunting for the Seven of Spades.

Cordelia Kingsbridge increases the intensity with each book in this series. The stakes are higher on all counts. The same holds true here. It’s hard to talk about the plot without spoiling anything, so I’m not even going to attempt to try. Let’s just say that our boys are certainly pushed to their limits and you can start seeing the cracks in the foundation. I don’t particularly enjoy seeing them pushed through the ringer, but I love how human they are when they are. There’s no shrugging of their shoulders and continuing on like nothing happened when things get tough, there are also no easy solutions. I like the uncertainty attached to it, it keeps you on your toes.

Wyatt Baker once again did a great job with this narration. Great pacing and added emotions really draws the listener in. One thing that I especially appreciated was the phone calls between Seven of Spades and Levi, where Baker’s voice for the Seven of Spades really sounded like it was mechanically altered to disguise their identity. It really sounded credible and it enhanced the listeners’ experience of the phone call and the hunt for the killer. Then there were the emotions between Levi and Dominic. Gah, the intensity of them, the good and the bad. Baker almost wrecked you with those.

In short: Cash Plays is an intense ride, start to finish and leaves you wanting for more.

A copy of this book was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review for Love Bytes.

Great story. Great narration.

The plot is getting even more complex. The writing seems to get better with every book, and the characters get even more interesting. Can't wait for the next audiobook.

cranked up my anxiety levels!

Would I listen to it again: yes
Did the story keep me engaged: yes
Was I invested in the characters: yes

📖 Story comment: Another enjoyable instalment - Good pace, likeable characters, interesting, well written and action packed plot.
I like the complexities and depth we are seeing develop in Eli and Dom characters.
OMG! - that end - I'm so glad I have the whole series before I started, I had to listen to the start of Book 4 before I went to bed 😂

🎧 Narrator comment: I enjoyed Wyatt Bakers narration - he has good timing, captures the emotion and tension of the story and it's easy to tell the characters apart, overall I enjoyed it and would happily listen to it again.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7.5
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough • 5 enjoyed it • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Give me more please..

OMG, I love this series and can't walk till the next book. things are unfolding and the 7 of spade's is showing his true self, which is weird. I find myself agreeing with the serial killer and wanting him to get caught at the same time since I'm totally in love with the main characters. This author hit the addiction on the nose and Dominic has brought the character to life.

OMG!

I listened to this on audible and nearly lost my mind. I was about half way through and my anxiety just instantly spike and I seriously didn't know if I could keep listening. OMG, Dominic going down the narrow stairs, ending up in a back room gambling hole and when he turned around to think about leaving I'm shouting 'leave! leave!' He didn't of course, justifying all of his decisions. I managed to finish but the whole time I'm thinking about all the poor choices Dominic continue to make over and over again. And Levi, struggling on his own to deal with the Seven of Spades. The ending was so heartbreaking and I totally expect book 4 is going to be a mess. Unfortunately it's not out on audile - yet

Awesome!

I love the dynamic between Dom and Levi. The Seven of Spades is easy to sympathize with and you can see his view point easily. The side characteristic are interesting especially the new FBI agent who looks like he might shake up Dom and Levi.