The Losers' Club [Hardcover]

Lise S. Baker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 10, 2000

While investigating an insurance assignment involving an accidental death, Cal Brantley turns up clues that lead her down a dangerous path. Teamed up with an ex-LAPD cop for the assignment, Cal also faces an even greater challenge--stopping a friend from committing suicide. From the back alleys and casinos of Reno to the graveyards and ghost town of Virginia City, Cal learns the real meaning of what membership in The Losers' Club entails--and the knowledge could be deadly.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

San Francisco PI Cal Brantley is sent to Reno, Nev., by her new employer, Worldwide Investigations, to look into an insurance claim after a small boy dies in a casino escalator accident. Unfortunately, Cal must contend not only with an unreasonable new boss but also with a macho ex-cop, Denny Wickerstaff, for a partner. Although the claim seems straightforward, Cal smells a rat when she learns that, according to witnesses, the boy's mother was completely unemotional about the death and that one of the casino's waitresses was murdered the same night. At the same time, Cal is also trying to locate a former boyfriend, Tony Lazio, who has threatened suicide and fled to Reno. While Baker, a real-life California PI, writes crisp dialogue, the novel suffers from lack of character development. That Cal has old hippie relatives and a missing ex-husband doesn't do much to humanize her. Her friendship with neighbor Laurie Stern seems forced, and her ex-beau Tony is superfluous to the main story. The verbal battles between Cal and her despicable partner generate some wit, but at times these tirades overwhelm the plot. A quick and unlikely death marks the finale to a disappointing debut. Agent, Don Maas.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

When owners of the San Francisco investigation firm that employs her sell out to a rival, likable heroine California "Cal" Brantley winds up working for an unlikable boss. On top of that, an uninsured illegal alien rear ends her on her way in from a lengthy surveillance. Now, with nagging back pain, Cal and an ex-cop co-worker investigate the accidental death of a small boy in a Reno casino. They turn up more than they bargained for, of course, as plot complications escalate nicely. An attractive protagonist with endearing hang-ups makes this a diverting first novel.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1st edition (April 10, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312242166
• ISBN-13: 978-0312242169
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,434,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good first novel, September 15, 2000

By 

Carmeleen Varley (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Losers' Club (Hardcover)

I am an avid mystery reader--Connelly, Crais, LeHane-- and this new novel is right up there. It's rare when I actually laugh out loud in the middle of a page--her dry humor really is appealing to me. Her writing is tight and evocative and Cal Brantley is a great character. I was definitely disappointed, though, in the last 1/4 of the book. Things got predictable and unbelievable, particularly so because the majority of the book was of such a high caliber. I thought there were too many characters in the novel--too many to be well-drawn and some of them (Violetta in particular)came out to be caricatures. The subplot about the ex-boyfriend could definitely have been left out and improved the book overall. But I am very much looking forward to her next book--hope there is one.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable tale, April 2, 2000

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Losers' Club (Hardcover)

One evening, Cal Brantley's husband went out for a pack of cigarettes and never returned. Her second entry in the romantic sweepstakes was with a co-worker, but when that ended Cal left her job and ultimately the state. Now back in her hometown of San Francisco, Cal buries herself in her work as she is determined to never be hurt by a male again. After successfully completing her current field assignment, the private investigator returns to the home office only to learn that the company has been sold. The new owners, Worldwide Corporation, send Cal to Reno to investigate an insurance claim.

Accompanying Cal to Nevada is company man Denny Wickerstaff, an arrogant former LA cop, who worships power especially his own. Cal realizes she is going to have a difficult time working with the conceited Denny. Their inquiries center on the death of a child who died on a casino escalator. As she examines the data, Cal concludes that there is more to this simple claim than meets the eye and refuses to close the case. Her action place her and Denny in danger from dangerous people who will face long hard time in prison if their operation becomes known.

With the publication of THE LOSER'S CLUB, it is obvious that Lise S. Baker deserved to win the 1998 St. Martin's Press/PWA contest. The story line provides a series of viable shockers and surprises that make it impossible to predict what will happen next. There are so many twists and turns readers will think they are on a tilt-a-whirl. However, it is Cal who makes the novel complete as mystery fans will fully understand her motives and want Ms. Baker to provide sequels starring her likable lead protagonist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A PI Mystery for Working PI's, October 17, 2000

By 

Charles Smarr (Ohio) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Losers' Club (Hardcover)

This book is a must read for anyone who wants to know what the life of a real Private Investigator is like. This book could not have been written by anyone who is not a working PI. "The Losers' Club" is certainly the best PI mystery that I have read in a long, long time. Cal Brantley doesn't carry a gun but a cellular phone, a camera and a knowledge of people are all the weapons she needs. I think she one investigator I would like to work with and I am looking forward to hearing more of her story. Thank you, Lise S. Baker for writing this wonderful book.