Dead Man's Hand

Dead Man's Hand tracks the early days of organized crime in Las Vegas through the story of Federal Agent Mick O'Malley. The agent goes undercover to infiltrate a mob-controlled casino operation in 1950s Nevada. O'Malley must navigate relationships with mobsters, casino workers, and local law enforcement while maintaining his secret identity. His investigation leads him deeper into a web of corruption that extends beyond Las Vegas's borders. The plot centers on high-stakes gambling, money laundering schemes, and the power dynamics between organized crime families and law enforcement. The narrative includes authentic period details about casino operations and post-war Las Vegas development. This noir-influenced crime story examines themes of loyalty, deception, and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a city built on risk. The novel explores the costs of living a double life and the moral compromises required in the pursuit of justice.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of John Collins's overall work: Readers respect Collins's research-based analysis but note his writing can be repetitive. His books receive high ratings for providing clear frameworks and actionable insights for business growth. What readers liked: - Detailed case studies and concrete examples - Data-driven conclusions rather than theory - Clear breakdown of leadership principles "The concepts are immediately applicable to my business" - Amazon reviewer "Finally, business advice backed by real research" - Goodreads review What readers disliked: - Redundant writing style - Some examples feel outdated - Too focused on large corporations "Could have been half as long" - common criticism on Goodreads "Not relevant for small businesses" - Amazon reviewer Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: Good to Great 4.1/5 (141,000+ ratings) Built to Last 4.0/5 (45,000+ ratings) Amazon: Good to Great 4.6/5 (3,800+ reviews) Built to Last 4.5/5 (1,200+ reviews) Most critical reviews still acknowledge the value of Collins's research while questioning his writing style or the modern applicability of certain examples.

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🎲 The book draws its title from the poker hand Wild Bill Hickok was allegedly holding when he was shot - two pairs of black aces and eights, known ever since as the "Dead Man's Hand" 🤠 Author John Collins extensively researched primary sources from the 1800s, including newspaper accounts and court records, to create an authentic portrayal of frontier gambling 🃏 Professional gamblers in the Old West often carried specialized tools of their trade, including "holdouts" - mechanical devices hidden up their sleeves to secretly add or remove cards 💰 Many famous lawmen of the American frontier, including Wyatt Earp and Bat Masterson, worked as professional gamblers or dealers during their careers 🎰 The book reveals how gambling halls served as unofficial banks in frontier towns, often storing miners' gold dust and providing credit to regular customers when traditional banks were scarce