Even though the child’s death has been unequivocally declared an accident, as Cal begins to interview witnesses, view video surveillance tapes and read police reports and look at evidence collected, she begins to get the feeling that something is not quite right and that she and Denny may be facing something bigger than an insurance problem.

What had started out as a routine insurance investigation has taken a sudden, nasty turn, putting Cal’s and Denny’s lives in danger. When Cal learns a casino waitress was robbed and murdered the same day as the boy’s accident, her suspicions perk up all the more making her more determined to not only produce an accurate report, but to solve the case also.

Also weighing heavily on Cal’s mind is an apparent suicide note left by her ex-boyfriend, Tony. His family has asked Cal to use her PI skills to help find him before he harms himself. Coincidentally (or not), Steve is able to trace Tony to Reno where he leads Cal on several wild goose chases before she is able to confront him.

Losers’ Club is an admirable first novel written by a professional PI. Cal is a very likable character, who has character (she won’t swear and is careful what she eats) in spite of stake-outs and long road trips. Denny is diametrically opposite Cal in personality, acting as if he resents Cal and thinks she is a hindrance. He will be despised as much as Cal is admired and his few breaks of admiration and compassion for Cal will be suspect.

The plot of the book moves along quickly and constantly, much like a twenty-four hour casino. Lise Baker nicely ties the subplot and the main plot together in a tense final scene, although the resolution of the boy’s death is a little rushed and glossed over. Losers Club is a strong first novel with a well-developed protagonist that readers will definitely want to welcome back in a sequel.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry