Two aging rock stars plot against the manager who ripped them off in this witty thriller by “Canada’s answer to Elmore Leonard.” (Toronto Star)

Tumblin’ Dice rolls with cops and mobsters, rock stars and bikers, in a gritty, absorbing tour through a criminal underworld that’s thoroughly convincing

The High, a band with a few hit songs back in the late 1970s, have reunited to play the nostalgia circuit at casinos. But for bassist Barry and lead singer Cliff, this tour will be more lucrative than it appears, as they team up to turn the tables on the gritty underworld of these gambling palaces — robbing the loan sharks and drug dealers.

After coming across their old manager, who had swindled millions from them years ago, Barry and Cliff decide to go for the big score and get it all back — and more. But when a notoriously dangerous motorcycle gang gets involved, all bets are off.

John McFetridge co-authored Below the Line with Scott Albert, who, like John, had spent many years working in the film industry. John is also the author of the Toronto Series crime fiction novels Dirty Sweet, Everybody Knows this is Nowhere, and Swap. He has written the screenplays The Shrew in the Park and The Protector, the CBC radio drama, Champions, as well as episodes for the CBS/CTV television series The Bridge. John lives in Toronto.

John McFetridge's profile page

“Each of McFetridge’s colourful characters takes huge chances, frequently hoping for an equally huge payoff. The only one not taking a chance on Tumblin’ Dice is the reader.” — Quill & Quire

“[McFetridge] continues to justify having been named one of Canada’s crime writers to watch in 2007 with this latest contemporary gritty novel.” — Publishers Weekly

“Eventually, some crime writer or other had to give a novel its setting among the broken down 1970s rock groups who work the circuit of gambling casinos these days. Fortunately for readers, the writer first on to the subject is Toronto’s own John McFetridge. He’s the guy with just the right balance of grit, humour and rock’n’roll knowledge to do the job.” — Toronto Star

“John McFetridge is — or should be — a star in the world of crime fiction. He’s got a firm, lively hand on all the essentials, from setting to intricate plot, clear, bold characterization and, best of all, to dialogue that sizzles and sparks through the pages, providing its own music, naturally of the hard-rocking kind.” — Toronto Sun

“Each of John McFetridge’s…novels have a rhythm to them, mixing taut dialogue, spare description and a dark sensibility with the cool calm of a master bass player.” National Post