The White Russian Caper

Damien Dickens Mysteries, Book 2

By: Phyllis Entis

Narrated by: Tom Lennon

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

A mortally wounded Miss America entrusts a mysterious Russian coin to Damien Dickens, PI, before she dies. After Damien disappears while researching the significance of the coin, Millie tracks her husband's abductor to Florida. When his captor falls to his death from the balcony of a seventh floor apartment, Damien escapes; then he and Millie join forces to unravel the web of intrigue surrounding the Russian coin and its connection to the murder of Miss America.

The White Russian Caper is the second book in the Damien Dickens Mysteries series.

©2015 Phyllis Entis (P)2016 Phyllis Entis

Book 2

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

This is the 2nd book in the series . Damien and Millie have a great adventure in this book. I enjoy mystery books. The author gives the reader great descriptions without going overboard.

Great Mystery Starring Damien Dickens and Millie!

Summary
A mortally wounded Miss America entrusts a mysterious Russian coin to Damien Dickens, PI, before she dies. After Damien disappears while researching the significance of the coin, Millie tracks her husband's abductor to Florida. When his captor falls to his death from the balcony of a seventh floor apartment, Damien escapes; then he and Millie join forces to unravel the web of intrigue surrounding the Russian coin and its connection to the murder of Miss America.

Review
This is the second book in the series and can probably be read as a standalone, but I would highly recommend that you read The Green Pearl Caper first.

Damien gets a call for help from the somewhat foppish Stephane Major, manager of the Boardwalk Hall, home of the Miss America Pageant. The good Mr. Major is overwrought, Miss America is missing! Damien agrees to meet him at the Boardwalk Hotel and Casino where Miss America - aka Miss Cynthia Mills - has her suite.
When Damien searches her rooms he discovers her in the bathroom. She has been badly beaten and is on the point of death, but she manages to convey to him that he must safeguard an old coin. She dies before she can provide any more information.
The distraught Stephane Major begs Damien for help, Damien accepts, but his investigations lead him in to great danger and he is abducted.

His resourceful wife Millie decides that she will find her husband who, having escaped from his captors has had to undertake a gruelling trek from somewhere in the wilds to somewhere civilised. He becomes ill and confused, eventually a police officer, thinking that Damien was drunk, drugged or crazy, approached him to see what his problem was and, as thanks, got his nose broken! Damien is taken to hospital but nobody knows who he is.
Meanwhile, Millie is still searching for him, and there follows great drama and excitement.

We were introduced to Millie in the first Damien Dickens mystery, "The Green Pearl Caper".
Millie worked as Damien's secretary until things went awry, but happily, they were eventually married. I was delighted to discover that in this latest mystery, Millie's character has been greatly expanded, part of this book is written from Millie's point of view, which, in my opinion is an excellent move, adding dimension and interest to the story.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable listen, a great mystery, lovely ending and with some wonderful characters, Particularly Millie and the unforgettable Mr. Stephane Major, n’est-ce pas?

Narrated by Tom Lennon who, once more does an excellent job. By using just the subtlest changes of tone, rhythm and pitch he makes each character so distinct and recognisable. He is very easy to listen to, his voice never intrudes upon the story but enhances it.
The recording quality is excellent.
Audiobook provided by the narrator, author or publisher for an unbiased review

Campy PI holds your interest

This is a little step down from number 1 I think. Still a good book, but has at least one annoying flaw for me.

Seems like every fictional PI says at least once in every book that they don't believe in coincidences. For some reason the ending of this book is wrapped around the biggest coincidence of all. Totally unbelievable. I don't want to give a spoiler, but really? Where was Millie? Really took away from my overall opinion of the story.

While set in 1980 the narrator has more of a 1960 sound, but I liked it a lot. He made Damien a nice guy I would want to find out more about in the future. He sounds just like I imagine Damien. Maybe not the most sophisticated PI you have ever met, but he kind of plods along and gets to where he needs to be.

outstanding story.

loved it.. mystery murder and suspense.. could not put it down wonderfull narration .. highly recommended
This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBoom dot com."

Maybe Better than #1

The White Russian Caper is the second in this series I have listened too. Again I was really happy with everything about it.

The hero is a the epitome of the classic Hard-Boiled detective (with a soft gooey yolk where his wife is concerned). This is further reinforced by the time period being around 1980. At times it reads and sounds more like 1940, but that doesn't take away at all. You just know it is not today. Those of us old enough to remember hunting for pay phones and there not being a casino in practically every city in the US will relate.

I think the narrator contributes a lot to this Sam Spade/Phillip Marlowe feel (I like those guys so that's a compliment). He is not quiet as hard nosed as Marlowe - sounds more like Raymond Burr as Perry Mason which is very fitting for the way the author has written the dialogue. Burr was never high energy, but always enjoyable. This type delivery wouldn't work for Jason Borne, but is perfect here. The laid back style is very credible for the voice of Damien.

In this book, Millie, the wife, graduates from her minor co-star role in number #1 to equal billing with the star. Her interface with all the characters in Miami is especially enjoyable. Yes, there is some stereo typing of the Miami residents of the period but it is not offensive at all. Think Molly Goldberg.

There is a complex plot to figure out for the mystery fan as well as a great deal of action, without going overboard with violence, to keep it from being dull. It is a feel good mystery and there are a few places where you will probably laugh and none where you will cry.

Will be looking for the next in this series.

Note; At the end of the recording there is a short story told by a dog about his finding new masters. It is based on something in the authors life. It neither adds or detracts from the book and I am ignoring it in this review. Not my cup of tea, but not relevant to my enjoyment of the real story.

A Mystery Romp in 1980's Miami

A fun old fashioned gumshoe mystery. The book is filled with interesting characters and snappy dialogue. Tom Lennon does a good job; his voice helps establish the 1980 vibe. This is the second book in the series. It is not necessary to listen to the first book, but it helps set the scene.
I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Hello to old friends!

I've listened to the first book and was very exited to start the second. It was a delightful experience once again and it was like hooking up with old friends! Baby, I'm home!

The Damien Dickens mysteries is an old-school detective series, where the police had no clue and had to investigate with a lot lesser tools than today. In The White Russian Caper, we're in 1980 and also facing the birth of a computerized world. Though, the police had computers in some divisions, the systems couldn't communicate together. Very fun!

Miss America gets beaten up and wounded, but Damien Dickens finds her in time to get her to the hospital. She tells Damien to hold a rare coin for her. The coin has connection to Russia and other people wants it. While Damien tries to investigate the coin further, he disappears.

Damien's wife Millie has a huge role in this book, as she goes after the clues she gets, to find Damien. Millie is a very strong and calm character and her personality really develops in this story. Even she's worried about Damien, she's not afraid to take the next step. I loved Millie in this second book and she is my favorite character now. I also had many great laughs on this journey.

It was impossible for me to guess what would happen next and Phyllis Entis can really write a great mystery. I'm sure to pick up the third book in the series, when published!

Narrator Tom Lennon did a very good narration - again. His female voices is a little funny sometimes, but I get it. It's hard, when you have a deep male voice. He's very much involved in the story and performes with a good sense of humor. You won't be bored!

*This book was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. Read all my reviews at mybookhype dot com

Great old-fashioned mystery

Phyllis Entis has done it again. This is a clean,, attention grabbing story featuring that loveable detective, Damien Dickens. What does an old coin, Miss America, and a trip to Florida all have in common? You'll have to listen to the story to find out.

Smooth cozy mystery

I received the audiobook because I begged to read more Phyllis Entis! She was kind enough to send it on to me.

This is the second Damien Dickens Mysteries. Millie and Dick are now married. Dick is asked to help out the organizer of the Miss America pageant who can't find Miss America. He find her, beaten in her hotel room. Before she is taken to the hospital she passes him a Russian coin for safekeeping.

At the same time, Dick is asked by Derek Turpin to investigate a series of robberies in Florida before Turpin buys property down there. Before being able to go to Florida, Dick is kidnapped.

What follows is Millie's search for her husband and the discovery of who murdered Miss America.

The production of this second book is much better than the first book; I had noted several hiccups in the production of the second, and these were mostly ironed out by Tom Lennon this time around.

I also enjoyed the bonus material about Traveler the dog at the end of the book.

Great read

This kept me so intrigued. I thought I was over and all settled when there was so much more to solve. Wonderfully written never leaving out any detail.

Millie's chance to shine.

I had already listened to The Green Pearl Caper, the first book in this detective series, also read by Tom Lennon. I was therefore looking forward to another adventure with Damien Dickens and his secretary, Millie, who is now his wife.

Damien Dickens is entrusted with an old Russian coin by the dying Miss America. He's not sure of the significance of the coin, but it seems that others are interested in it too. Under the cover of finally getting to honeymoon with his new wife, Dickens accepts the task of looking into a surge of criminal behaviour in Florida.
In the last book, Dickens managed to get himself jailed as a suspect, this time he's kidnapped; it seems to be a pretty risky job being a Private Eye in the 70s. The upside of this is that Millie gets a chance to prove herself and I have to say, she makes a pretty good job of it.

It was good to meet old friends from the first episode, one of the advantages of following a series. As I've only recently started reading series, this is a new discovery for me.

Tom Lennon is a reasonable narrator, although some of his accents were a bit dodgy and I find his female voices a bit masculine.

This audiobook contains a bonus short story, Traveler. It's a story about a dog and for me didn't add any value to the book.

The White Russian Caper: 3.5 stars
Traveller: 3 stars

Cosy Thriller

Damien & Millie Dickens own a detective agency and Damien was entrusted with a Russian Coin by the reigning Miss America, and he goes off to get the coin valued by an expert, and Millie is left to pack for a belated honeymoon cruise. Next, we know Damien has not returned home and what with the Miss America demise makes Millie extremely worried and calls upon her friend and sidekick Bruno just in case she needs muscle and goes in search for Damien, what few clues there are Millie is clever enough to work out what happened to Damen and with some help from the police get the case solved and of course the return of the love of her life. I have listened to a few of Phyllis Entis Dickens mysteries, each story different, and I like the way that they are a detective agency and have a good report with the police. Lovely to listen to the narrator Tom Lennon does an excellent job, and I always look forward to listening to these books.

Second in the series

I enjoyed this second outing for Damien Dickens and his now wife Millie, The story moves from Atlanta to Florida and Millie shines as Dick goes missing and she and Bruno pool their resources to search for him. With a few unexpected turns and overall good narration it was good to get back to this series and to some familiar characters as well as meet some new ones. I particularly liked the police officers in this one. I will be listening to the next in the series.
For me Tom Lennon is not great with female voices but it doesn't detract from the overall listening experience and the story held my attention.
There is a short story of a dog at the end of the novel which was ok .
For me 3.5 stars overall

Great caper

This second story was more intense than the first but just as good. The pace it followed was good, with a mix of fast and slow parts. The actual mystery really had me wondering all the way through.

The bonus story was sweet.

The title says it all really

This book was more involved and intricate than the others in the series... but still has the same quirkiness and coincidences that make it stand out from the crowd. Again, it stands completely on its own, or as a character development from earlier books in the series! Can’t wait for the next one.

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for a review.

Excellent

As with the first Damien Dickens book this was a great next instalment. Good storyline, easy to follow and the narrator was perfect for this story, looking forward to book 3. The bonus story was a brilliant addition and sets it up nicely for the next book.
I was given this book free for a unbiased review.
Tracey Allan

Should be available on prescription

The second book in the Damien Dickens series is, if possible, even better than the first. Damien and Millie are now happily married. Damien takes on a new case thanks to the affected and snobby Stephane, and disappears. Then Millie steps up, and with Bruno by her side she kicks some butts, works out what's going on and generally sorts out all the men and gets them organised. I love Millie, I'd like her to be my best friend. The story is a mystery and there's that element to work out. What I love is the warmth and dignity of Millie and the love between her and Damien. A warm feeling encompassed me when I was listening and it genuinely lifted me out of my "I've been stuck indoors for weeks fug" and cheered me up no end. But just when you've eaten a delicious meal at Phyllis Entis' table and couldn't possibly squeeze in one more tasty treat, she serves up a surprise, so unexpected, so perfect and fabulous that my heart soared. I swear I could see fairies flying around a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow after listening to the bonus story you are gifted at the end of The White Russian Caper. Ms Entis, you have achieved something that none of my children or my grandchild or any of my much loved friends and family haven't been able to do for weeks, you made me smile and you repaired my sore and bruised heart. Absolute heaven.

Brilliant book

Absolutely brilliant lots of twists and turns looking forward to the next book loved the bonus story of traveller

A good story and narration

I liked this book as book 2 in the Damien Dickens series, an also as a standalone book by itself. The storyline was easy enough to follow - I prefer it when a plot is simpler although I love the occasional twist - and I liked that the number of characters did not rise exponentially as the plot progressed. There's a good balance between interpersonal relationships and professional responsibilities, and I liked the way it plays out here.
The quality of the recording has improved since book 1 and the narrator remained consistent through his readings of each character. A worthy effort from all involved!

Great continuation

I really enjoyed this book. It is a great continuation of the first one. PI Damien is back with another case. Enjoyed narrating by Tom Lennon.