THE RETURN OF RAT PACK SWAGGER

Back in 2006, Robert J. Randisi published the first in a series of mystery novels featuring Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, Jr., Joey Bishop and, to a lesser degree, Peter Lawford, collectively known as “The Rat Pack”. That first novel was called EVERYBODY KILLS SOMEBODY SOMETIME with the second being LUCK BE A LADY, DON’T DIE! There have been three more books in the series since then.

The protagonist in each novel is Eddie Gianelli, whose prime function is that of Pit Boss at the Sands Hotel and Casino in the Vegas of the early 1960s. Eddie G, as he is often referred to, is also an unofficial “troubleshooter” for Frank, Dean, etc. He doesn’t do much for Lawford, though; in fact, Eddie doesn’t like Lawford, but does give him an occasional mention in the narrative. It’s just as well because other than Peter’s JFK/RFK connection through marriage to their sister, Patricia, (and opinions that he, perhaps more than anything else, served as a “procurer” for the Kennedy boys), it’s hard to figure what else may have been Lawford’s “in” with the Rat Pack. Perhaps other bland actors everywhere looked up to him because he made a success of himself despite microscopic (if any) talent. It’s ironic that Lawford spent his last days addicted to drugs and writing letters to a long-dead Jack Kennedy.

But I digress…

The newest Rat Pack mystery is called:

I'M A FOOL TO KILL YOU


This one has Eddie looking after Ava Gardner at Frank’s request. She and Frank have already been divorced at the time this story starts, but it’s obvious that they still care for each other despite the tempestuous nature of their on-going relationship.

Ava is concerned about what she may have done in a block of 40 hours that she can’t recall. She shows up in Vegas to ask for Frank’s help, but chickens out and leaves before she can talk to him. Frank summons Eddie and asks him to locate Ava to come to her aid in her time of trouble. Revealing anything more than that here would ruin the book for you. Oh, and I never knew until reading this book that Sam Giancana made his own spaghetti sauce. Chef Boy-Ar-Giancana, anyone?

Robert Randisi (I get to call him “Bob” since I’ve known him for about 27 years) really has the tone and the ear for what he is writing about. He knows how to show you a good time as well. I’M A FOOL TO LOVE YOU is top entertainment and ultra-cool reading, especially for those of us who still love Frank, Dean and most of the other gang.

Before I’M A FOOL TO LOVE YOU, there was:

YOU’RE NOBODY ‘TIL SOMEBODY KILLS YOU

And:

HEY THERE (YOU WITH THE GUN IN YOUR HAND)

Bob tells me that July of this year will see another Rat Pack mystery, FLY ME TO THE MORGUE, released. Another reason to look forward to the summer months.