Susan Rogers Cooper, Vegas Nerve

Vegas Nerve

Susan Rogers Cooper

Dunne, March 2007, $23.95, 272pp.

ISBN 031235603X

Although Sheriff Milt Kovak loves his life in Prophecy County, Oklahoma, he is looking forward to going to Las Vegas with his wife, who is attending a psychiatric conference. He knows his third cousin Maida Upshank and her husband Burl are up there visiting their pregnant daughter Denise. Milt figures he doesn't have to see them because they have different agendas but when Burl is arrested, he goes to the sheriff's office to see if he can help.

Burl saw his son-in-law beat up his daughter and punch her in the stomach. He beat up his daughter's husband and since the man is pressing charges he is arrested. Milt gets the sheriff to release Burl into his custody but when his son-in-law is found murdered, shot at point blank range, Milt is ordered to bring Burl in. He would but he skipped out, forcing Maida to call her sons to come to Vegas to help Milt clear Burl's name. Milt believes it easier to find the real killer and he uses the help that is at hand even if they are unorganized and not too bright.

This is a down-home mystery that gives readers an interesting look at Las Vegas from a first-time visitor. Susan Rogers Cooper creates interesting characters and the audience will have many chuckles following the exploits of Milt on a second honeymoon that winds up in the middle of a homicide looking for a killer. Vegas Nerve is a fascinating and creative mystery that makes readers want to stay up and finish this book.

Harriet Klausner