Dru’s Short Musing:
Homicide detective Sam Roma is on the case in the grippingly enticing drama involving a missing schoolteacher and other forces at hand.

This was an intense and complicated multi-plot story that immediately grabbed my attention, quickly becoming a page-turner. I liked how the author presented this nicely executed mystery with the discovery of the body, the potential suspects lurking beneath their truths, the motive and the detectives on the team who provide step by step procedures that helped this reader collect all the clues and as the story moved forward, the twists and turns that were strategically placed, had me following a different path, until the pieces fell into place and one person was left standing – but that key twist at the end, good job, good job. I also like the personal interludes with Sam at home with her family and with friends. By the end of the story, Tom grew on me, because my initial reaction to him was negative. This change in opinion highlights how well this story was being told as the author created an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to more exploits with Detective Sam, her team and her family. A terrific read.
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Series: A Sam Roma Detective Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Traditional Detective Mystery, Police Procedural
Release: April 30, 2026
Format: Print, Digital
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Book Synopsis:
The puzzling murder of a beloved teacher leaves Detroit homicide detective Sam Roma searching for answers. To her chagrin, not only does Sam have a murder to solve, she’s been assigned a new homicide investigator, Tom Green, who comes with his own set of problems and challenges. As Tom makes a series of rookie mistakes, Sam wonders if she’s up to mentoring a partner with personal struggles-one who she suspects is involved in departmental politics.

To top it off, Sam’s personal guilt over her own history intersects with the conflicts faced by the middle school students close to the murder. She needs to navigate complicated relationships and face memories that have haunted her for years while keeping her family’s secret safe.

As Sam delves into the case, she uncovers a web of secrets and lies surrounding the school staff, students, and a former gang leader, revealing a complex game of luck, betrayal, jealousy, and unexpected twists.

With a strong female detective, A GAME OF LUCK is the mystery/suspense novel you’ve been searching for and will enjoy reading.

FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.