MR. LUCKY

Is Ricky Smith lucky, or what? First he escapes a deadly Las Vegas hotel fire; then he proceeds to strip neighboring casinos of their cash by winning every game in the house. Next he beats the world's greatest poker player. Once home in Slippery Rock, North Carolina, he keeps on winning everything from a horse race to a $50,000 lottery. Former Atlantic City cop Tony Valentine is hired by the casinos to find out if Smith is truly lucky . . . or what? Reader Paul Boehmer is well suited to this Southern setting. His Carolina accent not only sounds authentic, but he seems to capture the feelings of the people in his tempo and cadences. Only his efforts to portray the Cuban villains strike a sour note. Nonetheless, Boehmer is a good fit for an entertaining story. T.J.M. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: OCT/NOV 05]