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Irene Woodbury’s second novel, A DEAD END IN VEGAS, is a dark, probing look at marriage, infidelity, revenge, and grief. Immersing herself in drama and dysfunction for months on end was a challenge for this upbeat author, whose first book, the humor novel A SLOT MACHINE ATE MY MIDLIFE CRISIS, was published by SynergEbooks in 2011. At first glance, the two novels seem quite different, but both deal with midlife confusion and chaos, and the complexities and unpredictable nature of the human heart. And both, of course, are partially set in Las Vegas, a city Irene got to know well during her years as a travel writer. Between 2000 and 2005, her mostly international stories appeared in numerous publications, including the Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Denver Post, London Daily Telegraph, and Nevada magazine.
Irene, who graduated from the University of Houston in 1993, lives in Denver with her husband, Richard, a retired correspondent for Time Magazine who edited both of her novels. The couple miss traveling, but, after two novels, Irene insists there’s no greater journey than the one into your own heart and mind.
Reviewed by Trudi LoPreto for Readers' Favorite
A Dead End in Vegas by Irene Woodbury is a story of emotions and the finding and losing of loved ones. Tricia Sloan tells husband Dave that she will be away for a week at a teacher’s conference, but as he is heading out to the airport to pick her up, he receives a phone call that will change his life forever. Tricia was not at a conference, but in Vegas meeting Joe, a man she has been having an affair with on the internet. Joe does not leave his wife and his Chicago home, but instead sends his buddy Al to entertain Tricia. When Tricia is found dead in her hotel room, husband Dave vows to get revenge on both Joe and Al, believing that her death is their fault. He will not stop until justice is served and he ruins both their lives and their marriages. Best friends Sally and Mike try to help and get caught up in Dave’s schemes, causing problems in their own marriage. What follows is a number of twists, turns, surprises and disappointments until Dave can once again be at peace with himself, the loss of his son, the deeds he has done, and realizes what he really wants for the rest of his life.
A Dead End in Vegas is the emotional journey of a man who has lost his wife and son and the retribution he seeks. Irene Woodbury has created characters that are real and that pull the reader right into the story. A Dead End in Vegas is a study of emotions that range from anger, to sorrow, to hate, to forgiveness, to love. The twists and turns of Dave’s plans will keep you reading long into the night. The ending came as a happy surprise and put a smile on my face as the story reached the finish line. I highly recommend A Dead End in Vegas.
