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The Pain Game

A Sam Laska Crime Thriller
Brief Description
A disgraced detective's investigation into a suspicious death plunges him into a deadly conspiracy that threatens everything he holds dear. Sam Laska, a former Chicago Police detective, thought he'd left the murder business behind. But when a friend asks him to investigate a questionable death, he... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$4900
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Releases 1st December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "The Pain Game" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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The police say overdose, but one man knows better Disgraced Chicago detective Sam Laska thought he was done with murder. But when he agrees to investigate the suspicious death of a friend's grandson, he uncovers a deadly conspiracy involving a medical empire and political corruption. The deeper he digs, the higher the cost. Until justice demands the ultimate price.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A disgraced detective's investigation into a suspicious death plunges him into a deadly conspiracy that threatens everything he holds dear.

Sam Laska, a former Chicago Police detective, thought he'd left the murder business behind. But when a friend asks him to investigate a questionable death, he finds himself drawn into a treacherous web of drug dealers, hired killers, and political puppet masters.

As Laska unravels the conspiracy, he's captivated by an alluring medical examiner's assistant. But with each step he takes, the danger grows, and his mistakes put those closest to him at risk.

Faced with an impossible choice, Laska must sacrifice himself to bring the killers to justice and protect the ones he loves.

Can Laska untangle the web of deceit and corruption before it's too late, or will he become the next victim in this deadly game?

The Pain Game


Praise for the Sam Laska series

5.0 out of 5 Stars ...grabs me from the opening pages and entertains throughout...

5.0 out of 5 Stars ...you get so involved you can't put it down.

5.0 out of 5 Stars - I read it in one day and afterwards, I immediately purchased the next book in the series.

5.0 out of 5 Stars - I couldn't put it down!!

5.0 out of 4 Stars - I found it hard to put the book down. I burned my dinner reading. The suspense goes on page after page.

Series: The Sam Laska Crime Thriller Series

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  • The Pain Game
    Pre-order
    The Pain Game
    A disgraced detective's investigation into a suspicious death plunges him into a deadly conspiracy that threatens everything he holds dear. Sam Laska, a former Chicago Police detective, thought he'd left the murder business behind. But when a friend asks him to investigate a questionable death, he finds himself drawn into a treacherous web of drug dealers, hired killers, and political...
    Paperback
    $4900
    Pre-order
    Out 1 Dec 2026

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781036705695

Publisher: Vinci Books

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 July 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vinci Books

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 16.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 218

About the Author

Richard Rybicki, a former detective, retired from the Chicago Police Department in 2006 and moved to Florida's gulf coast. The Pain Game, his first work of fiction, was published in 2016 and debuted the Sam Laska Crime Thriller series. Where the Road Leads and Bottom Feeder Blues continue the series. The Green Line, a Royal Palm Literary Award semi-finalist, is the fourth book in the series. He has also published a collection of short stories, The Suits, available as a Kindle ebook. Learn more, connect with the author, and sign up for the author's newsletter at www.rrybickiauthor.com, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RybickiAuthor, and X, formallyTwitter, at @rybicki_richard

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