[Book, Review] The Odds

Author: Jeff Strand
Publisher: /

Genre: Thriller 

Pages: 222
Available: Amazon
ASIN: B087PRVHLC
Price: 2,99 $ (eBook)

Released: April 27, 2020

Description:

After a disastrous evening playing slot machines, Ethan Caustin wonders how he's going to explain his massive loss to his wife and kids. 

As he tries to find his way out of the casino, sick to his stomach and filled with self-loathing, he's approached by a stranger who offers a solution to his problem. It's a simple game. A 99% chance for him to win ten thousand dollars. In the remote chance that he loses...well, he'll be strapped into a device that shatters his left arm.

Ray's thoughts:

After finishing an odd world adventure written by Brian Hodge, I instantly dove into Mr. Strand's newest thriller.

It's refreshing to have a somewhat intelligent protagonist in a thriller for once. Ethan may have fucked up badly, but he is smart enough to not completely fuck everything up most of the time. He is a solid protagonist, who will grow on you, even though you will find yourself rolling your eyes because of his actions. When we are not following Ethan, we get insight on the behind the scenes action. It's gritty, grimy, but not as nasty as previous works. The plot twists are fiendishly clever and some of the games to be played by Ethan gleefully macabre (see what I did there?). 

Highlight of this story were the last 40 to 50 pages, in which we witness a shocking finale, orchestrated by yours truly, which may contain the best plot-twist of them all.

Conclusion:

The game was rigged from the start in this blood pressure increasing, heart rate fastening and eyes widening thriller. I enjoyed it from start to finish and was once again impressed by the ideas of the author. Remember kids, gambling is bad and do not talk to strangers, but be sure to buy this book and enjoy a game of life you (hopefully) never played before.