Reel of Fortune

Miss Fortune Mystery #12

by Jana Deleon

Nothing says Welcome Home like a murder. It’s official. Fortune Redding is out of the CIA and a newly minted resident of Sinful, Louisiana. She never expected her homecoming to be all apple pie and hugs, but a murder wasn’t on her list of things to deal with before she’d even gotten her name stenciled on her mailbox. Boone Carre—Hooch, to the locals—was a drunk and a louse and had shafted pretty much everyone he’d ever done business with. So when someone kills him, there is no shortage of suspects. Unfortunately, Ally is at the top of the list. Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie know that Ally isn’t capable of murdering anyone, but with an ambitious ADA looking to make a name for himself, and the local gossip train intent on finding someone to blame, they know they have to find the killer and clear Ally’s name.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Humor, Audiobook, Fiction, Romance, Cozy

302 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 29, 2018

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.

Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.

Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.

She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.

Reviews

[Sandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe that this is the 12th book in this series and I am still enjoying it as much as I did the first one. Fortune is back in Sinful after leaving the CIA, ready to start her civilian life with her wonderful friends. But even as a civilian, with Gertie and Ida around, her life will remain as exciting and crazy as it ever was. Laugh out loud humour, unceasing action, a smart, intelligent plot and a fantastic writer. I highly recommend this book, this series and this author!

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wondered where this series was going to go after Fortune's situation with a terrorist after her blood was resolved. Would the series go in a different direction or would we get more of Swamp Team III in action? Well, Swamp Team III is alive and in action, much to the dismay of Sinful, LA Deputy and Fortune's lover, Carter, and I love it!

Fortune Redding vanquished the terrorist who had targeted her for death. She has decided that she likes her life and the people in Sinful, and had retired from the CIA. She has plans to become a Private Investigator and until she has her license, well . . . Anyway, on her first day home in Sinful there is a . . . murder. Shocking, huh? Welcome home, Fortune!

Local Boone Carre, aka Hooch, is a card carrying A--hole. He is a drunk, a cheater and has stiffed anyone he ever did business with. The man had no shortage of people who would like to see him six feet under and one of those people is sweetheart, Ally, Fortune's first real girl friend. Well, Carter may want Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie to stay the heck out of this, but, Fat Chance.

They know that Ally would never hurt a fly, but in order to clear her name they need to find the real murderer. As they investigate, they find that Hooch has been shooting his mouth off about coming into a lot of money. Would someone kill him for a shot at his fortune?

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reel of Fortune by Jana Deleon is the 12th book in the Miss Fortune Mystry series. Ex CIA assassin Fortune Redding is looking forward to new life as a civilian in Sinful, Louisiana, but when a fisherman is poisoned and her friend Ally accused of the crime, Fortune, together with her friends, Ida-Belle and Gertie investigate. A fun and entertaining book with the trio getting into lots of crazy situations as usual. With Gertie along, you know that things will never go as planned. There are always plenty of laughs and plenty of action.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m on a role. These are easy reads and quite entertaining!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 stars

This newest installment of this series was fun! I love seeing Fortune, Ida Belle and Gertie try to outsmart Carter. There wasn't too much romance in this one. But the ending was so good!

[Stacie Haden · Rating 4 out of 5]

More fun with Miss Fortune. It's like going on vacation with your craziest, yet most interesting relatives.

[Pamela(AllHoney) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The twelfth book in Miss Fortune Mystery series by Jana Deleon. Ex-CIA Fortune Redding wraps up her affairs in DC and returns to Sinful, Louisiana where she will now reside permanently. When Ally becomes a suspect in the murder of Hooch, a local drunk and cheat, Fortune and the Geritol Mafia are on the job to get the facts. At the same time they do their best not to raise the suspicions of the local deputy.

Another wonderful addition to the series. Fortune's identity is reveal to the town and she is ready to get on with her life as a civilian. I have really enjoyed this series. It's silly and ridiculous for the most part but it worked for me.

[Aimee Nicole Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, this was actually my favorite audiobook of the series so far. Fortune’s secrets are revealed to everyone and she’s free to live her best life. Plus, the ridiculous stunts are just so funny. Skydiving and Gertie? And Carter doesn’t try to stifle who Fortune is. He wants to protect her and keep her safe, but he trusts her decisions, even when he doesn’t like them. I’m curious to see what happens in the next chapter of their relationship.

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have not read this series yet.......Run and grab the first one, it's been free on Amazon. It will reel you in and hook you fast.
Off the wall hilarity is rife in this series and this one is no exception.
Fortune Redding, former CIA and her two senior cohorts, Vietnam era, Gertie and Ida Belle,get in and out of sticky situations, giving Fortune's love interest, Deputy Carter LeBlanc indigestion.
Ally's been wrongfully arrested for murder, but it's the only way Carter can protect her from state prosecutors, and the trio is out to find the killer and keep Ally out of jail. Hijinks ensue and the possibility of their arrest for numerous reasons is real.
I love this series. It's the perfect gift for someone who needs a bit of cheering up.....one caveat.....be careful reading in public due to inevitable laughter and possible snorts.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

After my disappointment with Change of Fortune, I approached this one hesitantly but it ended up demonstrating all the humor and fun of the earlier books in the series. I forgot how much I love these characters. Fortune still gets a little emotionally overboard for my tastes and her relationship with Carter needs a new outlet because now that they're dating and communicating(ish), the tension kind of leaves the relationship.
But I love what she did to his truck.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reel of Fortune by Jana Deleon was another madcap adventure now that Fortune has "retired" to Sinful. There is always something to do in Sinful and with Gertie along you know that it won't go as planned. The threesome have a murderer to catch to save Ally and her reputation. Laughter and mayhem ensue and I loved every minute of it.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast paced, crazy fun mystery.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun!

Love to visit my favorite town in Louisiana. Fortune, Ida Belle, and Gertie are up to their usual antics. Lots of laughs, mystery, and action. Fun read start to finish!

[JadeShea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one, but it sort of felt like a filler book. And I'm a little annoyed with Fortune and Carter's relationship. I'm still excited for the next one, though.

[Carolyn Bowen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and Intrigue on the Bayou!
A covert operative, Fortune, hides out in a small southern town to avoid a terrorist trying to kill her. When the coast is clear she decides to retire and buy the house on the bayou from her boss’s niece. She’d met some like-minded women and felt comfortable in her new setting. There was also a possibility for a romantic relationship to develop with a law enforcement officer. But, Fortune’s propensity to get in the middle of dangerous situations might make their dating impossible.

She needed to set the record straight about her true identity with her new friends and town folks. She quickly found out people in small towns have their own way of sizing up newcomers. Life on the bayou became more complicated when one of the residents was murdered. No one was beyond becoming a suspect even the sweet little lady Fortune had befriended. Of course, she and her new friends came to the rescue and decided to solve the mystery themselves.

Reel of Fortune is sometimes witty with senior women taking on adventures and detective work that only these feisty women could accomplish. I found the novel refreshing and captivating!

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the reasons I love this author so much is that she often fools me with her mysteries. You think you know where they are going and then find out you were wrong.

I am so glad I had this volume to read after reading Change of Fortune. Rarely does Ms. Deleon leave loose ends at the end of a book, but that was not so with Change of Fortune. There were several major loose ends I could not wait to see resolved.

As usual, they were resolved with tons of humor. I always laugh out loud and often have tears running down my face as she describes the messes Gertie usually gets everyone into. I enjoy them so much I could just read them day in and day out but I pace myself because I don't ever want to be without a new volume to read.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fortune is finally a civilian and whilst waiting to figure out what to do with her life she goes to a fishing tournament with Ida Belle and Gertie. Gertie wants to win third place which is a case of beer. Besides two other fishers, Hooch and Maria usually win first or second. This being in Louisiana cheating is of course involved. When Hooch doesn’t check in at the end of the tournament and is found dead in his boat, Carter figures he has been poisoned. So he arrests Fortunes friend Ally. Which gets the three involved. A good mystery with a surprise ending.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

The bad guy who vowed to kill Fortune has been neutralized so she is free! She decides to retire from the CIA and stay in Sinful, Louisiana with her boyfriend, Deputy Sheriff Carter, and her two best friends, ex-spies Gertie and Ida Belle. A local townsman is poisoned during a fishing tournament and Carter arrests Fortune's friend Ally, who wouldn't hurt a fly. It's up to Fortune, Gertie, and Ida Belle to prove Ally's innocence and you know some hi-jinks are up ahead.

When reading this series, the only thing I worry about is busting a gut from laughing so hard! Godzilla, the alligator from previous books only has a brief cameo in this one but never fear.......there's a bear.

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Starting on a new course!

These characters are now friends and family. I am fully invested in them and their goings on. I want Ida Belle to go a little easier on Gertie. And i want celia to fall in the bayou!

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2020 bk 100: Boone 'Hooch' Carre is dead and Ally is one of the suspects. The secret of Fortune's real identity is out, as is the fact that she is moving to Sinful permanently. Celia goes over the edge and throws every block she can in the way of Carter and the Swamp 3 team solving this mystery. Lots of fun.

[Lucinda Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 12 did not disappoint. I wasn't sure how Fortune would adjust to civilian life but it was a hoot to read and glad to see that Fortune Redding is now an official resident in Sinful LA - Celia you don't stand a chance!

[Gail Koger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun times

Love this series. Lots of adventure, mishaps and laughter. Fortune relationship with Carter continues to grow. Highly recommend this book

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always a great read

As always Jana DeLeon writes another Fortune book. I love these characters and the trouble that finds them, thanks to Gertie. Funny funny funny!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick, light, silly fun. I'd say it's a great summer read, but I'll take one of these any time of year.

[Marti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit out of the park - er, bayou for Jana Deleon! Ally’s in trouble and the terrible trio is off and running. Everybody loves to hate Hooch, but some people really aren’t even worth killing. These Miss Fortune books are the funniest, laugh-out-loud murder mysteries you will ever read! Jump in anywhere in the series for a great time.

[Una · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even after book 12 there are still laugh out loud moments. Love the situations and improbability of actions that happen.

[Laurie Norden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these characters! Book started out a little slow but really picked up at the end.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A palate cleanser was what I was in the mood for and this series is just that, predictable and easy on the brain. Missing from this installment is the humor that others have had, the best this could do was make me smile a few times. Much like the Stephanie Plum series, some installments are good and others read more like fillers.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best one in the series, but I'm still looking forward to the next one.

[Chelsea B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the direction this series is going!