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The House Always Wins: A Vegas Ghost Story
Anna Christiansen's small-town life is about to go haywire. A young reporter stuck in a dead-end job, Anna falls head over heels for an interview subject, the bass player in an up-and-coming alt band. In short order, she pulls up stakes, moves to Las Vegas, gets married and pregnant, and moves into a big fixer-upper haunted by the ghost of a Sin City racketeer. That's when she gets notice from a corrupt casino owner that he's buying up all the properties on her street to make way for a parking lot. But Anna has poured her heart and soul into the house, and digs in hard to fight the system, not the easiest of tasks in a city where bribery, mayhem, and murder are standard operating procedures.
Can Anna's tough-guy ghost provide the help she needs to prevail in this dangerous cat-and-mouse game? Will Anna's life be left in ruins? Or worse?
Part road trip, part coming-of-age saga, part mystery, part ghost story, The House Always Wins is all Vegas.
Can Anna's tough-guy ghost provide the help she needs to prevail in this dangerous cat-and-mouse game? Will Anna's life be left in ruins? Or worse?
Part road trip, part coming-of-age saga, part mystery, part ghost story, The House Always Wins is all Vegas.
324 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2017
35 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 19, 2019
Wow! What a fun ride! I was sent this by the author (Thank You!) and had put it in my TBR pile, but it had gotten farther and farther from the top. I Finally pulled it out and started reading. I don't know what I was expecting from this book and was pleasantly surprised once I started reading. A quick read with fun characters (yes, even Meyer). This one has it all - Murder, mayhem, love, humor, nostalgia and a little bit of history thrown in. Almost 5 stars!
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March 8, 2017This was a very fun, quick read. I really enjoyed all the true references to living in Las Vegas. Plus you learn a lot of Jewish phrases. Never know when you need to say "oy."
December 30, 2021
3.5 stars.
I won this book in 2018 from Reader Views and it's been sitting on my shelf and not sure why I didn't pick it up sooner.
It was a breath of fresh air from my usual reads. Anna, a 20 something newspaper reporter is called upon to interview a up and coming rock star in her small town of Michigan and ends up interviewing the bass player. They end up going cross country to Vegas, where they get married and surprise she's pregnant. They find a fixer upper house and restore it and then a casino wants to buy the house/land. She's going to fight to the bitter end to save it.
To top off it off, Meyer Lansky (who I will call the Jewish mafia but not sure if that's accurate) owned the house and he shows up as a ghost and she gets his whole life story out of him.
The end is interesting at it's best and they have a baby boy. As a side note, for such a young woman, she sure didn't know about a lot of things I thought she would. I can't remember specifics but it might be items or music or something or other. Not sure if it was because she was from a small town or what.
I won this book in 2018 from Reader Views and it's been sitting on my shelf and not sure why I didn't pick it up sooner.
It was a breath of fresh air from my usual reads. Anna, a 20 something newspaper reporter is called upon to interview a up and coming rock star in her small town of Michigan and ends up interviewing the bass player. They end up going cross country to Vegas, where they get married and surprise she's pregnant. They find a fixer upper house and restore it and then a casino wants to buy the house/land. She's going to fight to the bitter end to save it.
To top off it off, Meyer Lansky (who I will call the Jewish mafia but not sure if that's accurate) owned the house and he shows up as a ghost and she gets his whole life story out of him.
The end is interesting at it's best and they have a baby boy. As a side note, for such a young woman, she sure didn't know about a lot of things I thought she would. I can't remember specifics but it might be items or music or something or other. Not sure if it was because she was from a small town or what.
March 31, 2017
Brian Rouff spins a rich tale. As a long-time resident who was here as the Mob made its official exit from the gaming establishments, this is a story rich in fact and fiction, and a wonderful cocktail of the two.
Anna Christiansen is a perfectly-drawn protagonist. She’s snarky, sincere, and funny as she details a year in an adventurous life after she falls for a rock musician. Landing in Las Vegas her fairly innocent life is shaken up, but she’s up to the challenge once she meets Meyer. That she’s the only one who can see and hear him adds color to the fun. He may not be anything like the ghosts in my series of books, but he’s one dapper guy.
And, I must comment on Boozer. A review wouldn’t feel complete without it. Everyone should have a best friend like him. He may not look the part, but I’d rather have him for a BFF than the richest man on the planet.
Rouff’s writing captures you with strong characters, easy-going descriptions, and a flowing story arc. I’m looking forward to more novels. – Paul Atreides, author of the "World of Deadheads" novels
Anna Christiansen is a perfectly-drawn protagonist. She’s snarky, sincere, and funny as she details a year in an adventurous life after she falls for a rock musician. Landing in Las Vegas her fairly innocent life is shaken up, but she’s up to the challenge once she meets Meyer. That she’s the only one who can see and hear him adds color to the fun. He may not be anything like the ghosts in my series of books, but he’s one dapper guy.
And, I must comment on Boozer. A review wouldn’t feel complete without it. Everyone should have a best friend like him. He may not look the part, but I’d rather have him for a BFF than the richest man on the planet.
Rouff’s writing captures you with strong characters, easy-going descriptions, and a flowing story arc. I’m looking forward to more novels. – Paul Atreides, author of the "World of Deadheads" novels
August 30, 2017
Few writers can capture Las Vegas the way Rouff does with his keen eye for examining the city beyond its alluring sites and attractions. In his newest novel, subtitled “A Vegas Ghost Story,” Rouff allows us to experience Vegas’ history, residents, neighborhoods, and lifestyle. He does this by matching Anna Christiansen, a newcomer to Vegas, with Aaron Eisenberg, a longtime resident of the city. Anna is likeable and eager for experience, while Aaron is a pensive thinker with a melancholic streak. Their romance begins in Anna’s small Michigan hometown of Scandia, where she works as a journalist at the Gazette. Her assignment is to interview Aaron’s band during their tour stop in Scandia. The immediate spark between Aaron and Anna ignites her decision to relocate in Vegas with Aaron. The couple finds a perfect old house to begin their life and family together, but little do they know that the place formerly belonged to a famous Vegas resident. Matters begin to complicate when their neighborhood sits in the middle of a dispute with a casino mogul who wants to buy all the properties for his own real estate ventures. Rouff does a nice job of blending romance with humor and mystery with suspense. The story takes many serious turns, but Rouff has an ability to keep the narrative tender, funny, and interesting. His excellent use of dialogue makes for a number of memorable scenes. He also includes an abundance of philosophical moments to ponder about God, religion, and Jewish identity. In the end, this is a story that becomes a page-turner as you root for Anna and Aaron to beat the odds and keep what they’re fighting for.
December 3, 2017
Reviewed by Michelle Stanley for Readers' Favorite
“Oh, it’s not really gambling when you never lose.” - Jennifer Aniston. The House Always Wins: A Vegas Ghost Story is a paranormal fiction tale by Brian Rouff. Small town reporter Anna Christiansen finally gets a serious assignment to cover a band performing locally. She falls in love with Aaron, the bass player, and leaves with him for Las Vegas shortly after the interview. Anna soon becomes pregnant while trying to adjust to her unfamiliar surroundings.
They lovingly renovate a dilapidated house haunted by Meyer Levin. Meyer tells Anna about his life, but cannot remember how he died. Pykowski, a sleazy casino owner, terrorizes the couple to sell their house so he can build a parking lot. Anna fights back with help from Meyer. The ghost was a former racketeer who knows the corrupt game Pykowski plays so well. He thinks it’s time to deal a hand the casino owner will never forget.
Brian Rouff’s writing of The House Always Wins: A Vegas Ghost Story is impressive. It’s a charming, fast-paced story beautifully narrated by the main character, Anna. It contains wit, mystery, and a bit of nostalgia. Meyer reminisces about his racketeering life and how developed Las Vegas has become.
Anna is a strong-minded person who possesses a sense of humour, even when her problems are serious. I thought the road trip was interesting, also the descriptions of the communities that had seen changes, for better or for worse. The author has shown the other side of Las Vegas in this must-read novel.
“Oh, it’s not really gambling when you never lose.” - Jennifer Aniston. The House Always Wins: A Vegas Ghost Story is a paranormal fiction tale by Brian Rouff. Small town reporter Anna Christiansen finally gets a serious assignment to cover a band performing locally. She falls in love with Aaron, the bass player, and leaves with him for Las Vegas shortly after the interview. Anna soon becomes pregnant while trying to adjust to her unfamiliar surroundings.
They lovingly renovate a dilapidated house haunted by Meyer Levin. Meyer tells Anna about his life, but cannot remember how he died. Pykowski, a sleazy casino owner, terrorizes the couple to sell their house so he can build a parking lot. Anna fights back with help from Meyer. The ghost was a former racketeer who knows the corrupt game Pykowski plays so well. He thinks it’s time to deal a hand the casino owner will never forget.
Brian Rouff’s writing of The House Always Wins: A Vegas Ghost Story is impressive. It’s a charming, fast-paced story beautifully narrated by the main character, Anna. It contains wit, mystery, and a bit of nostalgia. Meyer reminisces about his racketeering life and how developed Las Vegas has become.
Anna is a strong-minded person who possesses a sense of humour, even when her problems are serious. I thought the road trip was interesting, also the descriptions of the communities that had seen changes, for better or for worse. The author has shown the other side of Las Vegas in this must-read novel.
July 13, 2017
A fast, really fun read (I read it twice!) packed with fascinating characters and tender insights about the risks and rewards of diving headfirst into the unknown in the pursuit of new adventures and self-fulfillment. A young, budding journalist falls for the bass player in a band she had set out to profile and decides on a whim to ditch her hometown in Michigan and run off to live with him in his apartment in Las Vegas.
Rouff's vivid imagery and entertaining story line lets readers peek behind the glitz, kitsch and glitter of tourist-oriented Las Vegas into the gritty lives of those who call the desert-turned-resort town home.
His very-well-crafted dialogue crackles with wit and humor, and Rouff's characters are endearing, funny and believable. I especially loved the talkative ghost of a Prohibition-era bootlegger, casino owner and philanthropist named Meyer who holds the key to the protagonist’s success in her quest to hold onto the home and life she's dreamed of in Vegas.
While the novel churns along at a fast pace, the characters experience moments of insight and reflection that also encourage the reader to stop and reflect on any number of universal life issues _ courage, risk, religion, self-fulfillment and the meaning of life and death.
Great read.
Rouff's vivid imagery and entertaining story line lets readers peek behind the glitz, kitsch and glitter of tourist-oriented Las Vegas into the gritty lives of those who call the desert-turned-resort town home.
His very-well-crafted dialogue crackles with wit and humor, and Rouff's characters are endearing, funny and believable. I especially loved the talkative ghost of a Prohibition-era bootlegger, casino owner and philanthropist named Meyer who holds the key to the protagonist’s success in her quest to hold onto the home and life she's dreamed of in Vegas.
While the novel churns along at a fast pace, the characters experience moments of insight and reflection that also encourage the reader to stop and reflect on any number of universal life issues _ courage, risk, religion, self-fulfillment and the meaning of life and death.
Great read.
May 16, 2018
Fun, quick read! Loved reading about the Vegas quirks that only a local would know and understand.
July 31, 2018
An extremely enjoyable and fun read for anyone, especially a Las Vegas local.
August 11, 2018
4.5 stars
May 26, 2018
One of my favorite reviews, courtesy of fellow scribe, Marek Biernacinski:
"It’s difficult for a short book to pack meaningful thought into its pages, but 'The House Always Wins' manages to do just that. Though I agree with many reviewers of this book that the tale is a fun, David and Goliath type of tale, my primary infatuation with it were the existential questions that the characters pose.
From the family break-up to the fight against the powers that be, 'The House Always Wins' manages to explore various aspects of deeper questions in an easily digestible and conversational manner. The characters come to life through genuine conversation, and at times you find yourself slipping away into Rouff’s masterful art of conversation only to realize you just consumed deep thought on questions that have complicated answers. How do parents reconcile an unexpected escape by a daughter who they thought had a specific life planned out? If such a change truly unexpected, or were signs in an otherwise unhappy and unsatisfied life? What goes into home ownership and why do people feel tied to seemingly inanimate objects: houses? At what point does the pursuit of a dream become an obsession that is better to be cut loose? How do you reconcile this in a country where the pursuit of dreams is encouraged verbally, but not in social support and action? These are just some of the deeper questions touched on by characters in one way or another, and it’s typically done through fascinating dialogue that begs the reader to join.
There is another aspect that I greatly appreciated about the book, and one which might be of increasing use to a like-minded generation that thrives on quick, but intense, information doses. Rouff’s chapter structure is succinct but information-dense. It’s easy to pick up the book for 2–3 chapters (sometimes as short as a page per chapter) and that’s it. The chapters act as short mini-stories that allow you to read when you have a moment and not have to worry about forgetting your place. Yet, you get enough information to think about until you pick the book up again later.
A great 'sit in the recliner' or 'read while waiting for the bus' kind of book. Recommended."
"It’s difficult for a short book to pack meaningful thought into its pages, but 'The House Always Wins' manages to do just that. Though I agree with many reviewers of this book that the tale is a fun, David and Goliath type of tale, my primary infatuation with it were the existential questions that the characters pose.
From the family break-up to the fight against the powers that be, 'The House Always Wins' manages to explore various aspects of deeper questions in an easily digestible and conversational manner. The characters come to life through genuine conversation, and at times you find yourself slipping away into Rouff’s masterful art of conversation only to realize you just consumed deep thought on questions that have complicated answers. How do parents reconcile an unexpected escape by a daughter who they thought had a specific life planned out? If such a change truly unexpected, or were signs in an otherwise unhappy and unsatisfied life? What goes into home ownership and why do people feel tied to seemingly inanimate objects: houses? At what point does the pursuit of a dream become an obsession that is better to be cut loose? How do you reconcile this in a country where the pursuit of dreams is encouraged verbally, but not in social support and action? These are just some of the deeper questions touched on by characters in one way or another, and it’s typically done through fascinating dialogue that begs the reader to join.
There is another aspect that I greatly appreciated about the book, and one which might be of increasing use to a like-minded generation that thrives on quick, but intense, information doses. Rouff’s chapter structure is succinct but information-dense. It’s easy to pick up the book for 2–3 chapters (sometimes as short as a page per chapter) and that’s it. The chapters act as short mini-stories that allow you to read when you have a moment and not have to worry about forgetting your place. Yet, you get enough information to think about until you pick the book up again later.
A great 'sit in the recliner' or 'read while waiting for the bus' kind of book. Recommended."
February 20, 2018
The House Always Wins by Brian Rouff
I received this book for free, with the understanding that I would give an honest review. Having read Dice Angel and reviewed it a few years back, I was more than eager to do so.
Anna is a young woman who wants more out of life. (Like we all do, which is what makes her easy to love.) So, when she gets the chance, she gets her editor to give her a gig interviewing an up and coming band. It does not go as well as she hopes…and Aaron, the bassist, gives her an interview out of pity and kindness.
They fall in love immediately, and, after getting her parents understandably grudging approval, they run away to Vegas, where he lives, and start a life together. Eventually they buy a house, which was built by a former gangster whose ghost still happens to haunt the place. Soon, the local casino wants to buy out the neighborhood so they can extend the parking lot – and they make an offer most of the neighbors have no intention of refusing, save Anna and one other. It may not be the safest route they could have chosen to take.
It’s the characters that make the story, because you end up wanting to spend time with them. It is the ultimate love at first sight romance, with Anna and Aaron learning about each other on the fly, and learning to live with each other. Was this the best choice she ever made, or a momentous mistake?
I kept getting pulled forward, wanting to know more. I cared about these people, and wanted to see if things worked out. Could the ghost help them find a way to keep their house? Or would something horrid happen to this sweet new couple?
Looking at the website, I see I missed a few of Mr. Rouff’s books. I’ll have to fix that ASAP!
I received this book for free, with the understanding that I would give an honest review. Having read Dice Angel and reviewed it a few years back, I was more than eager to do so.
Anna is a young woman who wants more out of life. (Like we all do, which is what makes her easy to love.) So, when she gets the chance, she gets her editor to give her a gig interviewing an up and coming band. It does not go as well as she hopes…and Aaron, the bassist, gives her an interview out of pity and kindness.
They fall in love immediately, and, after getting her parents understandably grudging approval, they run away to Vegas, where he lives, and start a life together. Eventually they buy a house, which was built by a former gangster whose ghost still happens to haunt the place. Soon, the local casino wants to buy out the neighborhood so they can extend the parking lot – and they make an offer most of the neighbors have no intention of refusing, save Anna and one other. It may not be the safest route they could have chosen to take.
It’s the characters that make the story, because you end up wanting to spend time with them. It is the ultimate love at first sight romance, with Anna and Aaron learning about each other on the fly, and learning to live with each other. Was this the best choice she ever made, or a momentous mistake?
I kept getting pulled forward, wanting to know more. I cared about these people, and wanted to see if things worked out. Could the ghost help them find a way to keep their house? Or would something horrid happen to this sweet new couple?
Looking at the website, I see I missed a few of Mr. Rouff’s books. I’ll have to fix that ASAP!
November 12, 2018
I'm not sure I would have picked this book up to read off a random shelf, but I was very pleasantly surprised. From the love story between Anna and Aaron to Aaron's crazy best friend Boozer, to the ghostly Meyer. All of these aspects wove together a tale that was unexpected.
I have only been to Vegas a few times but the author makes the town come alive with descriptions of the Strip, the various hotels, the buffets, the people, and the outlying towns. Even if you have never been to Vegas, you might feel like you know the town just a little bit after reading this book.
Anna is someone I could imagine being friends with in life. She is smart but snarky. She is loyal and protective of those around her, all attributes you would want in a friend. Plus she is not someone you want to trifle with as a greedy casino owner finds out after trying to oust her from her home.
Anna does give up a safe life to move halfway across the country with Aaron. But this may be the only way that she would ever make the leap and take a chance with someone she just met. While I'm not sure how many of us would give up everything for someone they just met, it works for her and for them.
The parts where the ghost, Meyer, reveals himself were quite interesting. While Meyer was telling his story to Anna, it did seem to go on forever with no interruptions from Anna which is quite surprising considering her journalistic background. His tale was interesting but it would have been nice to have a few breaks during his monologue. I'm curious about the dog, Lucky, that Anna and Aaron adopt and some comments that Meyer makes about his life. I'll leave it at that, no spoilers!
Overall I really enjoyed the story and recommend this book
I have only been to Vegas a few times but the author makes the town come alive with descriptions of the Strip, the various hotels, the buffets, the people, and the outlying towns. Even if you have never been to Vegas, you might feel like you know the town just a little bit after reading this book.
Anna is someone I could imagine being friends with in life. She is smart but snarky. She is loyal and protective of those around her, all attributes you would want in a friend. Plus she is not someone you want to trifle with as a greedy casino owner finds out after trying to oust her from her home.
Anna does give up a safe life to move halfway across the country with Aaron. But this may be the only way that she would ever make the leap and take a chance with someone she just met. While I'm not sure how many of us would give up everything for someone they just met, it works for her and for them.
The parts where the ghost, Meyer, reveals himself were quite interesting. While Meyer was telling his story to Anna, it did seem to go on forever with no interruptions from Anna which is quite surprising considering her journalistic background. His tale was interesting but it would have been nice to have a few breaks during his monologue. I'm curious about the dog, Lucky, that Anna and Aaron adopt and some comments that Meyer makes about his life. I'll leave it at that, no spoilers!
Overall I really enjoyed the story and recommend this book
October 17, 2018
This is the second book I have read by this author, and the latest he had written at the time I bought it. It is an improvement over the first but far from a masterpiece.
Anna Christiansen meets and falls for a bass player in a band that is passing through her small town. Impetuously, she pulls up roots and joins him on the road, to his home in Las Vegas.
The two ultimately get married and set up a home in a seriously dilapidated mansion that once belonged to a mobster. They work hard on restoring and improving the home. Anna especially loves her new home and is devastated to read that a casino owner wants to buy her out . He wants to tear down the whole street to build a parking lot, and offers premium prices to the landowners.
Most of them go for the deal and get out of Dodge. The young couple is joined by only one other neighbor, an old man, in resisting. The casino owner resorts to dirty tricks to make life miserable for them.
Meanwhile, Anna meets an other-worldly character, who offers insight and advice. The house, in this case, is not the casino.
Once again, Rouff has included the paranormal in his story. It seems like he rather rushed through the whole Anna-Aaron young-love story, skipping any real concerns on either's part, so he could get to his ghost. The casual treatment of Anna's parents is typical, can't be bothered.
There are a number of spelling and grammatical errors in the book. This publisher needs to do a better job of copy editing at least.
Anna Christiansen meets and falls for a bass player in a band that is passing through her small town. Impetuously, she pulls up roots and joins him on the road, to his home in Las Vegas.
The two ultimately get married and set up a home in a seriously dilapidated mansion that once belonged to a mobster. They work hard on restoring and improving the home. Anna especially loves her new home and is devastated to read that a casino owner wants to buy her out . He wants to tear down the whole street to build a parking lot, and offers premium prices to the landowners.
Most of them go for the deal and get out of Dodge. The young couple is joined by only one other neighbor, an old man, in resisting. The casino owner resorts to dirty tricks to make life miserable for them.
Meanwhile, Anna meets an other-worldly character, who offers insight and advice. The house, in this case, is not the casino.
Once again, Rouff has included the paranormal in his story. It seems like he rather rushed through the whole Anna-Aaron young-love story, skipping any real concerns on either's part, so he could get to his ghost. The casual treatment of Anna's parents is typical, can't be bothered.
There are a number of spelling and grammatical errors in the book. This publisher needs to do a better job of copy editing at least.
September 28, 2020
To me, this isn’t just a love letter to Vegas as the reviews on the first page state. It’s also a love letter to the English language through the quick-thinking mind of Anna Christiansen, the protagonist, who always has some clever crack either in dialogue or in her mind. Although the writing is quick and funny and “easy on the eyes,” there is a lot of depth and double meanings throughout the book. It’s about taking gambles and trusting your gut feelings. It’s about the past, present, and future being able to exist in the same plain thanks to the creative introduction of Meyer, the ghost (who at one point uses a children’s sing along to summarize life in a way that sticks with you). And of course, what good is a set up without the delivery? The last 100 pages will have you glued to the book. “The house always wins,” after all, is a warning to those who gamble that the odds are against them. So do yourself a favor and come for the laughs, but stick around—you might learn a thing or three.
November 13, 2017
This is a good book, and a fun book. I live in Las Vegas myself, and I can report that the general tone of the city is replicated well here. One caveat: the neighborhood in question (it's real) is much too far from the Strip for any resort to want to buy it out. But, hey, it makes for a good story. This is a ghost story, the ghost being a former mobster named Meyer. I never knew what the name Meyer meant, so the reveal at the end of the meaning of Meir (yeah, spelling, I know) was a nice surprise. One hint: it's a good name. And our Meyer is a good guy, who helps our heroine overcome a nasty old Vegas power player's avarice. (It is possible that the nasty old Vegas power player is modeled on a real person, but I'm not gonna go there.)
In short, if you want a good mystery, thriller, and ghost story to read while you learn some things about the real Las Vegas, this is your book. Read it! I did, and I liked it!
In short, if you want a good mystery, thriller, and ghost story to read while you learn some things about the real Las Vegas, this is your book. Read it! I did, and I liked it!
November 29, 2018
I have read a few Las Vegas mysteries but none quite like this. While most center on the strip where the tourists are, ‘The House Always Wins focuses more on the locals.
I love the beginning with Anna’s letter to her aunt. It sets the tone while she writes about what happened to her after her wedding and moving to Las Vegas with her husband. They buy an old fixer upper and Anna enjoys working on it. However, she discovers a ghost living there.
I love the friendly ghost that befriends Anna. There is a local developer who is hell bent on buying up property in the neighborhood but Anna won’t sell. He proceeds to strong arm her into it but the ghost is on her side and protects Anna. Many may think a friendly ghost sounds sappy but in Brian Rouff’s hands, it is an excellent element of the story.
‘The House Always Wins’ is a must read for mystery readers.
I love the beginning with Anna’s letter to her aunt. It sets the tone while she writes about what happened to her after her wedding and moving to Las Vegas with her husband. They buy an old fixer upper and Anna enjoys working on it. However, she discovers a ghost living there.
I love the friendly ghost that befriends Anna. There is a local developer who is hell bent on buying up property in the neighborhood but Anna won’t sell. He proceeds to strong arm her into it but the ghost is on her side and protects Anna. Many may think a friendly ghost sounds sappy but in Brian Rouff’s hands, it is an excellent element of the story.
‘The House Always Wins’ is a must read for mystery readers.
December 28, 2018
I received this book to give an honest review.
Overall the book was okay I really wasn't expecting the end to go that way so that was pretty cool. I have to say my favorite character was Boozer. Just the fact that he was a friend through and through and he was pretty funny.
We are introduced to Anna who finds love in a bass player after interviewing him. She didn't expect to pack up and move to Las Vegas but hey that is what happened. While searching for a house she finds one that she just loves and wants to restore back to the way it was. It will, of course, be a job yet she will end up trying to save her home no matter the cost. She ends up uncovering the ghost that lives there and we learn that everything comes around full circle. It seems like fate has a way of making its self-known. It was a pretty easy book to get into just wasn't a lot of action like I was expecting.
Overall the book was okay I really wasn't expecting the end to go that way so that was pretty cool. I have to say my favorite character was Boozer. Just the fact that he was a friend through and through and he was pretty funny.
We are introduced to Anna who finds love in a bass player after interviewing him. She didn't expect to pack up and move to Las Vegas but hey that is what happened. While searching for a house she finds one that she just loves and wants to restore back to the way it was. It will, of course, be a job yet she will end up trying to save her home no matter the cost. She ends up uncovering the ghost that lives there and we learn that everything comes around full circle. It seems like fate has a way of making its self-known. It was a pretty easy book to get into just wasn't a lot of action like I was expecting.
May 11, 2022
State: Nevada
A light romance/ghost/mob story set in Las Vegas. I read the Kindle edition.
Anna is a young newspaper woman living with her parents in a small town. She ends up going to interview a band, falls in love immediately with one of the members and goes to Las Vegas with him. They end up pregnant and buying a fixer upper in a neighborhood with a lot of old people. A company wants to buy them all out but they don't want to sell. Anna starts seeing the ghost of an old mobster who used to live in the house and he tells her his story of old Las Vegas. They end up keeping the house. There were a couple of not quite right in the writing, but overall a fun, light read.
A light romance/ghost/mob story set in Las Vegas. I read the Kindle edition.
Anna is a young newspaper woman living with her parents in a small town. She ends up going to interview a band, falls in love immediately with one of the members and goes to Las Vegas with him. They end up pregnant and buying a fixer upper in a neighborhood with a lot of old people. A company wants to buy them all out but they don't want to sell. Anna starts seeing the ghost of an old mobster who used to live in the house and he tells her his story of old Las Vegas. They end up keeping the house. There were a couple of not quite right in the writing, but overall a fun, light read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 3, 2018
Such a good book! I loved the characters, the location, and the storyline....an all around great read. I enjoyed this book from the first page through the conclusion. The story and action were paced just right, so that once I started reading I didn't want to put the book down and when I did, I couldn't wait to pick it back up and start reading again. I will highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good mystery with a gangster or a ghost or for anyone who likes books about Las Vegas (and who doesn't like a book set in Vegas)!
September 27, 2022
This book has everything! Romance, paranormal, mystery, thriller... I loved it! Sometimes you have to read a book that is set in reality, but with just enough plot twists to make it completely unpredictable. Excellent character development; you get to know and like our heroine and several supporting characters, as well the "villains." Well written and easy to cruise through due to it's energetic pace. The creativity and unique notes in this story make it well worth the read. Thanks Brian for an excellent book!
January 15, 2018
Mysteries aren't usually my reading genre of choice, but The House Always Wins was a lot of fun. For me the story really got rolling once it got to Vegas. The image in my head of what was going on in the climactic scene is hilarious. The characters are likeable, but I would like to see a follow-up where Aaron gets back with the band. And five words: more Auntie and more Boozer! Clearly I have unfinished business with these people!
September 23, 2018
I read this book because I love ghost stories and as a resident of Las Vegas I was curious about reading a story set here. I found myself saying "Just one more chapter" over and over as I constantly flipped to the next page to see what happened. I loved reading about places I recognized and as someone who loves this city it made me smile to relate to the characters as they ventured off to make a life and save the neighborhood the fell for.
September 6, 2017
The House Always Wins is a quick, fun read -- perfect for pool side and vacation. As a resident of Southern Nevada, I really enjoyed the current and historical Vegas references. My favorite character was the ghost, Meyer. I love his Prohibition era, gangster dialogue, and his fascinating back-story. I would love to read a second novel (perhaps a prequel) just about him.
August 7, 2017
This was a fun and fast read. I was surprised at how voraciously I read it.
I found myself wanting to know what was happening, and wanting more when I got to the last page.
This was a great way to spend an afternoon!
I found myself wanting to know what was happening, and wanting more when I got to the last page.
This was a great way to spend an afternoon!
September 14, 2017
I enjoyed seeing the rich world building and the large score of different plot elements that have been woven together to create a masterful piece. Definitely worth a read and re-read.
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
January 12, 2018
This was a fun entertaining read; I had mixed feelings about the psychology of the initial choices of the MC, but was pleased where the novel went with it. More of a coming-of-age story than a ghost story, I enjoyed watching the MC's life unfold (in my current town of Vegas!).
April 19, 2018
I completed this book in one weekend and was left with a sweet feeling of remembrance of my old hometown, Las Vegas. Who doesn't love a book with great characters, plot twists and a touch of Vegas local charm? This was an easy read that was difficult to put down. Definitely recommend it!
August 24, 2017
A fun, quick, well-written read. I enjoyed how true it stayed to the real Las Vegas. The characters were fun, and the house sounds fantastic. I'd love to see it in person!
June 15, 2022
This was a very quick read and although it was written very well, it was not all i was hoping it to be. I was expecting more action and excitement after reading the synopsis on the back of the book and the reviews on this site. The tidbits about Vegas and Jewish culture were fun and enjoyable. Not a bad read overall but not one I would personally recommend to others or find myself reading again.
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