Customer Reviews

The Druperman Tapes

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In Las Vegas normally just irascible grumpy Galaxy Hotel and Casino CEO Emmett Druperman has watched his temperament turn hot coal irate from minor irritants. Pickets were reducing the drop in leisurely casino players who detested stepping past the "ants" picketing his facility. The agent of his entertainer wants more money or he will cancel in spite of a half million ad campaign. His hemorrhoids on fire, Emmett receives a plain envelop addressed to him as the head of LVCA (Las Vegas Casino Association) containing videotapes and demanding $10 million or else from the casino owners.

Realizing he has real trouble, Emmett hands everything over to his Vice President of Security Steve Forrester who takes the threat seriously. They think of possible strip con artists such as Dan Shiller and Jurgen Voss, but Steve cannot picture either doing what happened on the tape, the poisoning of a guest. Knowing that the culprit is most likely a casino insider, Steve needs to figure out who would be bold enough to risk murder as opposed to card game scams.

THE DRUPERMAN TAPES is an enjoyable investigative tale that showcases Las Vegas glitz from the perspective of those who keep the casinos safe. The cast is powerful as all the key players seem genuine (hemorrhoids will do that) and a subplot involving a romance makes former cop Steve seem that much more real. Though the cat and mouse game never quite takes the audience over the edge, John Goodger hits black jack with his first hand.

Harriet Klausner

At the risk of going against the grain here - I missed the magic in this one. On the plus side, the plot line is an interesting one - i.e., the method used to extort money from Las Vegas casinos - and the author has a keen understanding of the workings and history of said place. Unfortunately the story itself doesn't flow and the characters, (as well as their development), were to me flat, wooden and very predictable. All of it reminding me of `70's TV show. Can't recommend this one.

This book is truly a "sleeper". The more you read, the more you get pulled into this Las Vegas web of intrigue. I truly could not put this book down, nor could my sister Jane in Toronto who recommended it to me.

Good work, John Goodger. I hope you continue to write.

Susanne

Once I picked up The Druperman Tapes, I couldn't put it down. It is a captivating read with well developed characters. I found myself wondering about these people outside of the context of the story. Goodger introduced me to the dynamics of an industry centered around the compulsions of the gambler. Intelligent, action-packed, I thoroughly enjoyed Goodger's first novel and am looking forward to his next hitting the shelf.