Overview
In the high-stakes world of horse racing, a murder investigation unfolds at the backstretch. Jessie Rivera, a longtime assistant trainer and key figure in the racing community, has been found dead, and the spotlight falls on Sal Nicoletti, a prominent trainer. As the prime suspect, Sal's reputation and future hang in the balance. Enter Eddie and his uncle, retired homicide detective Mike O'Connell, who team up to unravel the complex web of secrets and lies surrounding Jessie's murder. Eddie's girlfriend, Nicole Nicoletti, Sal's daughter, has made a name for herself in Chicago's sports betting scene, but now she needs Eddie's help to clear her father's name. As they dig deeper, they discover a stolen lab book containing confidential blood test results for horses, which could hold the key to the case. Meanwhile, a powerful mob boss lies on his deathbed, and the kingpin of the mob's offshore gambling operation has returned to Chicago, stirring up trouble. The track's top owner enlists Eddie's help to gamble on his horses, adding another layer of intrigue to the investigation. Eddie and Mike must navigate the treacherous world of the backstretch, where hidden agendas, rival trainers, migrants, gamblers, and mobsters converge. With time running out, they must find the killer before the trail goes cold. This gripping mystery combines the thrill of horse racing with the intensity of a detective thriller, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Eddie and Mike work to uncover the truth behind Jessie's murder.
Full Product Details
Author: Tom Farrell
Publisher: Rail Bird Publishing LLC
Imprint: Rail Bird Publishing LLC
Volume: 4
Dimensions:
Width: 14.00cm
, Height: 1.70cm
, Length: 21.60cm
Weight: 0.340kg
ISBN: 9781736593264
ISBN 10: 1736593269
Pages: 294
Publication Date: 31 October 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
General
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: In Print
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.
Reviews
WAGER SMART (BOOK THREE) "" Much like the previous outings in this series, Farrell's foray into the interconnected worlds of gambling and organized crime yields a story full of narrative crackle and well-drawn haracters."" -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) WAGER EASY (BOOK TWO) "" (Farrell) skillfully unfolds the complicated tale as Eddie delves deeper into the underworld and fi nds out how it intersects with the impending legalization of sports betting in Illinois."" -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) WAGER TOUGH (BOOK ONE) "" . . . even more compulsively readable than Wager Easy. The author has a pitch perfect ear for the intricacies of the no man's land Eddie inhabits."" -KIRKUS REVIEWS (STARRED REVIEW) ""Wager Tough is a taut thriller featuring a fl awed but endearing antihero."" -INDIES TODAY BOOK REVIEWS Selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the Best Indie Books of 2021 and one of the Best Indie Mystery Thrillers of 2021
Author Information
Tom Farrell has worked as a golf course starter, a chemist and clerked at City Hall in Chicago, while attending law school and the local horse tracks. He is the author of The Wager Series, including the award-winning Wager Tough (Book One), WagerEasy and Wager Smart. He was voted the 2024 Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. The series offers an insider's view of gambling on sports, horseracing, and poker, with a nod to the small-time player and the need for caution. www.tomfarrellbooks.com
