Synopsis
Ben is an insecure accountant obsessed with statistics, gambling and beating the odds. When he wins sixty-four million in the lottery he finds himself challenged by the possibilities that his new wealth brings.
He soon falls under the influence of charismatic Russian gambler Mirco, whom he meets on a holiday in New York. He also falls in love with a stewardess, Wendy, but now that Ben’s rich he finds it hard to trust anyone. As both relationships become more dubious, Ben needs to make some difficult decisions and figure out who’s really his friend and who’s just in it for the money.
Review
First up, a complete disclaimer - I did not read the blurb before starting to read this book. The author is a quality one, and everything he does is to a very high standard. What I was not prepared for was just how engrossing this tale of cross, cross and double-cross was going to be.
Nerdy, geekish accountant Ben is a numbers man. So much so, that he even has a system for winning the lottery (don't we all!) but in his case, he actually wins. Overnight, he is a multi-millionaire.
Even with all his millions, it's now a case of 'what shall I do with it all'? and whilst we may look at real-life multi-millionaires and think oh yes, poor you, what a burden (!) author Christoph Fischer drags us kicking (and probably screaming) into a tale where not everything is as it seems, and trusting others comes at a premium - certainly one too high for this reader.
"it hits the mark on practically every level"
When Ben locks eyes on the beautiful Wendy, he wonders, as he touches down in New York, if he will ever see her again. She's a stewardess when she first meets him, and they promise to email each other and meet again. But Ben is not your typical handsome guy - he's never been lucky in love (try gaming that with a system) and so he is not sure if he will meet her again. Also, he hasn't told her about his new wealthy status, though, as she really is the one for him in his head, he may have to confront that one day.
On landing in the Big Apple, he meets the mysterious Mirco, a Russian for a talent for winning at poker. He explains his system to Ben, who in turn gives him one of his own, before being amazed at Mirco's luck. To his new Russian friend, it's not luck at all. He has a system and he works to it, always knowing when to walk away.
Ben lets slip his thoughts on Wendy, and Mirco promptly says 'I have contacts, we'll find her.' Now this is where the book took a rather sinister turn for me. I was instantly fearing for Wendy's safety as Mirco seemed to be the kind of guy who you could not refuse an offer from.
Ben has questions too, but he is soon whisked into the heady lifestyle of Mirco, who at this point doesn't know of Ben's millions but is aware he is not exactly short of a bob or too.
Money, poker, drink and a heady nightlife soon thrust Ben into the arms of other women. But he still cannot get Wendy out of his head. My jaw literally dropped when Ben arranges to meet Wendy in Nairobi, only to find Mirco there instead. But not to worry, he has contacts and he will find her.
And find her, he does, to Ben's amazement.
Suddenly, I really start to believe Ben's luck in money will now transfer to love. He and Wendy really hit it off this time, it is no romantic holiday moment. He decides that she is the one for him, and wastes little time in telling Mirco.
Ben is tiring of his Russian friend at this point, but I think it was more to do with the excitement of having Wendy back in his life. Plus....she does not like the Russian too much, and this thought works its way into Ben's mind.
He then plans to marry Wendy and tell her about his money.
You would think 'happily ever after' because Wendy appears thoroughly disinterested in his millions and want Ben for who Ben is, not what he has.
To say more would spoil more. Let me just say that The Gamblers is simply an essential read. The ending threw me for a loop and if I am honest, it is not the ending I wanted, but nonetheless it is a terrific ending.
Recommended for everyone because it hits the mark on practically every level.
