The Cheater's Game (Glass and Steele Book 7) Kindle Edition

This book (7) is the best in the series, so far! I laughed out loud many times and got teary-eyed once or twice.

MY RATING SYSTEM5 stars--WOW4 stars--would read again3 stars--was good, won't read again2 stars--read it, but didn't enjoy it1 star--didn't finish, it was so awfulDo I need to read books before this one: yesCliffhanger: noSUMMARYOn the day of Sheriff Payne's execution, Willie and India go to a Wild West show as a distraction. Afterward, Willie plays poker, wins against Emmett and Danny, 2 sharpshooters in the show.That night they plus Cyclops and Duke go to a pub to play poker with Emmett and Danny again. Only Willie plays. India talks to sharpshooters Annie Oakley and May, Danny's wife. May doesn't like that Danny loses to Emmett so much. Duke and India tell Willie it's time to go home. Emmett snarls, is rude to India. Willie says she'd only stay to figure out how he cheats. When Emmett slurs Willie, Duke punches him. A blonde woman seems happy about it. As they're leaving, India sees Sir Charles.Matt and Miss Glass come home from Patience's wedding. Matt learns about Sir Charles, says he may be spying for Lord Coyle, but Coyle already knows everything about India. India still hasn't told Matt about the deal she made with Coyle to get Cox to marry Patience.The morning paper announces Emmett was robbed and killed. Inspector Brockwell invites Duke to come to Scotland Yard for questioning because they'd had an altercation. Matt and India convince Brockwell to talk at the house. Brockwell doesn't take notes until Willie says Emmett cheated. Willie gives Brockwell Danny's and May's names.The next day they read Emmett's gun wasn't on him, but his expensive hat and shoes weren't taken. Oscar Barratt and Professor Nash visit. They're writing a book about magic, and want to write about India's magic. Matt is against it. India is conflicted. Pre-marital contention.In the morning, the friends leave breakfast, locking Matt and India inside until they've made up. They all go to Emmett's memorial service. As India passes the casket, she touches the playing cards on Emmett's chest. Magic. He must have been a paper magician and that's how he cheated. Now they've got a reason to be involved with the case and this get Duke off the suspect list.EVALUATIONAgain, the author writes a well-paced plot. I had no idea who'd done it or why debate everyone was so suspicious. Character growth is great. Matt and India have to resolve some issues in their relationship while also solving a murder, playing politics with Coyle and with Fabian, and getting ready for their wedding. Cyclops gets ribbed about dieting when Duke eats his toast, Willie eats his bacon…. These three characters started as extras in the first book or two; they are now integral parts of the story. I want to know more about Duke. I'm glad to see Catherine and her brother Ronnie get attention. And of course Chronos and Abercrombie throw wrenches.RECOMMENDATIONEveryone who's following the series!FAVORITE QUOTES"I wish I'd worked out how he cheated before he died." "Let's not talk ill of the dead." "Why not? He was a cheater, I'm sure of it. Being dead don't change that fact."I don't believe in destiny. Our futures are the sum of our choices. It is not mapped for us at birth."This is why I want you to come to me. Not because I want to tell you what to do, but because I want to share some of the burden. I'm marrying you because I want to share your life, and that means the difficult parts of it too.""I can't let her know I liked that kiss." Going by Catherine's smile as she left, I'd say he failed."The next time I break into a house, remind me not to wear a corset." "Next time I break into a house, remind me not to bring you."India, "I'm not in the least nervous about getting married." Matt, "I am." "Sad to see your bachelor days end? Worried we'll grow bored with one another? Or that we'll grow apart? Afraid your unique edges will be smoothed?" He frowned at me. "I'm not, but now I'm worried about how you feel." "I don't think we'll grow bored. We'll be fine, particularly if the children stay with us." I nodded at the door through which Cyclops and Duke entered. "You are," Duke baited his friend. "Am not," Cyclops growled back. "You are." "Say it again and I'll thump you."POSSIBLE TRIGGERS (SPOILERS)Sex: kisses, brief pettingLanguage: 1.5 F words, 12 Lord's name in vain, 0 S wordsViolence: punches, gunshot, slit throat, murder, theft, attempted murders

Great and fun read. Enough twists and turns along the way to be interesting, compelling and amusing at times. However, Coyle remains vigilant in the shadows.... waiting to exact his expected payment.

Another delightful romp thru historical London with India Steele & Matthew Glass! More murder and mayhem with magic & magicians at every turn. These characters and stories just become more alive with every book. A very satisfying ending, as well, with India and Matthew finally becoming husband and wife, over insurmountable odds! Thank you C.J. Archer for your wonderful characters, engaging stories, and zest for life!

More mayhem and another murder find Matt and right in the center. Duke is called a suspect and they rush in to clear his name. A magician porker player has been found murdered. Meanwhile the news has created quite a sensation about magic living in their midst.Recommended

This series is beginning to stagnate. It is difficult to pinpoint the problem. Is it that most of the continuing characters have not developed beyond stereotypes? Is it that there is not much magic, and that the magic is no longer novel? Is it that the romantic tension has been more or less resolved? Perhaps, it has just run its course. C.J. Archer can tell a good story, so it is not a lack of talent that makes this series seem faded from its prime. In this episode, India and Matt are finally engaged. They are still living in London and since it is the late 1800’s, Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show is in town. This show is too much of an attraction for our crew of Americans from the wild west even if they scoff at the performances. When one of the sharpshooters is found shot and Duke is a suspect, the India, Matt, and the rest of the crew are bound to investigate. Their investigation is authorized by Scotland Yard when the use of magic is detected. There are subplots and tangents, but the murder investigation is the heart of the matter. An ongoing threat to India is revived obliquely from time to time, but it is apparently not yet ready for prime time. This series was never more than a light diversion, but it used to be more entertaining. It is series that is best read in order- particularly since the first books are so much better!

Finally...we have India and Matt getting married...of course a lot of othter things happening along the way....they are so amazing....cannot wait to go on the honeymoon...

I highly recommend you read the full series from the beginning, as to know all that has come before! I love the series and each one contains an excellent mystery. Each has had me guessing & I was wrong every time! I wonder if you can solve the mysteries before the end.As I hate spoilers, I will tell you things that won't give anything away. What I will tell you is how excellent the writing happens to be, superb! The descriptive talents of Ms Archer is the writing craft shown at its best. She can describe things so well that one can see the scene with the eyes closed; hear the sounds of whistles, shouts, and carriage wheels; smell the scents, feel the chill or heat, dirt and smut, & taste the tea! The dialogue is believable, natural, and well developed. The humor will come at the most unsuspecting times, causing one to laugh out loud. And, there is danger, love, heartbreak, jealousy, fear and murder. All together it makes for a fascinating read one cannot put down.I encourage you to begin at the beginning, but if you have followed Ms Archer's Glass and Steele books right along, you must have The Cheater's Game! Stop reading reviews and click on the Buy Now button!