Exhausted from a long day yesterday with a new murder, I will myself out of bed almost stepping on our new pup, Jack. I give him a few scratches behind the ears. There’s something special about Jack. I’ll figure it out eventually. My mom, Laura, decided to get a dog after we had been without a pet for decades and adopted a stray. I questioned her decision, but Jack won me over in minutes. Besides, my mom can handle anything even though injured in a shooting that killed my father and confined her to a wheelchair. Being an officer with the Detroit Police Department, she returned fire and killed the robber. Did this influence my decision to become a homicide detective? You betcha.

After a quick shower, I run down to the kitchen and grab a piece of warm blueberry coffee cake made by my husband, Marco. He’s already left for his ICU manager job at a nearby hospital. My mom deftly wheels herself around the corner of the island and hands me a cup of coffee in my favorite to go container. “Love you.” I say, hugging her goodbye and dashing out the door. You never know when something can happen so I take the opportunity to express my feelings for family every chance I get. FYI: My maternal line is a bit fey–each in their own way.

When I arrive at work, my boss, Dwight, is in his office alone. Now I can ask him how an officer with minimal years of experience got appointed to Homicide and why did he make him my partner. My new sidekick, Tom Green, is nowhere in sight. I’d reviewed the importance of keeping Dwight informed on new cases with Tom. I wave to my favorite detectives, Han and Chewie, lovers of all things Star Wars, as I approach Dwight’s office and ignore the scowl from my nemesis, Ben Fredericks.

I spot Tom entering Homicide Division. When he realizes where I’m headed, he increases his speed and beats me to Dwight’s door. He doesn’t hold the door open for me and zips in taking a seat. Tom is in a three-piece suit, like he’s at a command level. His hair is slicked back with his Errol Flynn mustache well-trimmed. There’ll be another time when I can catch Dwight to get the real scoop on him. It’s time to meet with my boss and get to the business of justice for Amani Maisie, the victim from our murder scene yesterday. Before I can speak, Tom tells Dwight he’s ready to update him. Dwight cuts him off and reminds him I’m the senior investigator. I start briefing Dwight on the status of the investigation. Tom interrupts again. I see a vein pulse in Dwight’s temple. He asks me to leave the office for a private talk with Tom. It’s going to be a long day with my clueless new partner.

A GAME OF LUCK
Series: A Sam Roma Detective Mystery, Book 1
Genre: Traditional Mystery
Release: April 2026
Format: Print, Digital
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Black Rose Writing

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.

About the author
Sandra J. Cady is a former Detroit police officer and past owner of a private investigation agency. Her recent short story, High School Reunion, appears in the mystery anthology, Crimeucopia: The Not So Frail Detective Agency. This anthology is a finalist for the 2026 Derringer Awards. Her novel, A Game of Luck, was released on April 30, 2026 and is the first in a series featuring detective Sam Roma. Her short story, For the Love of Writing, will be published in the 2026 March issue of Punk Noir. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, The Short Mystery Fiction Society, Private Eye Writers of America, and Mystery Writers of America. Learn more about Sandra at www.sandrajcady.com.