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![A Gambling Man [Large Print] by David Baldacci](https://cdn.thestorygraph.com/97gohwhrr54lnj87fnfwg15l69hb)
3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Another good hardboiled noir detective story in the style of Chandler and Hammett. This was better than Archer #1 and not as good as Archer #3. The first 100 pages is just to get Archer into and out of Reno, where he acquires his car and his friendship with Liberty. It has nothing to do with the main story. It’s not bad - it just has more to do with the characters than the story.
Baldacci also leans hard into showing how tough the 1940s and 50s were for women, minorities, and gay men, in contrast to the detective novels actually written at the time. And Baldacci makes sure we know the good guys in this book are aware of those injustices - this is great, but could have been a little more subtle.
Overall a 3.75 rating.
Baldacci also leans hard into showing how tough the 1940s and 50s were for women, minorities, and gay men, in contrast to the detective novels actually written at the time. And Baldacci makes sure we know the good guys in this book are aware of those injustices - this is great, but could have been a little more subtle.
Overall a 3.75 rating.
3.5. Not as good as the 3rd in the series but still a good tale. A little preachy in parts. I’m looking forward to the first in the series.
I enjoyed A Gambling Man more than I did the book that introduced me to Archer. This does take us back to the days when you could be a successful Private Investigator. I did question if Baldacci should be going back in time, but I am now longer questioning him. A rare car with a bit of a story and a night club singer makes for a fun story.
How did this book find me? I've been reading Baldacci after being introduced to Memory Man (Amos Decker #1). I'm working my way through Baldacci's work.
How did this book find me? I've been reading Baldacci after being introduced to Memory Man (Amos Decker #1). I'm working my way through Baldacci's work.
medium-paced
3.5⭐
Book two is slightly better than the first one, [b:One Good Deed|44016314|One Good Deed (Archer, #1)|David Baldacci|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556678730l/44016314._SY75_.jpg|68280408], which I gave 3 stars. It's an enjoyable book because I like Aloysius Archer. Baldacci knows how to create great leads. The ambient is different from other mysteries which is a plus.
A Gambling Man is a historical PI story set in the 1950s after Archer came back from the war and out of prison (book 1). Here, he heads to California via Reno from Oklahoma with a female companion, who he met in Reno.
I'd probably read anything Baldacci writes, but to compare I didn't get the same thrill as I do from a Puller, King & Maxwell or Robie series. The audio is really good with male & female narrators. I recognize their voices from other books and it's nice to hear familiar voices.
Book two is slightly better than the first one, [b:One Good Deed|44016314|One Good Deed (Archer, #1)|David Baldacci|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1556678730l/44016314._SY75_.jpg|68280408], which I gave 3 stars. It's an enjoyable book because I like Aloysius Archer. Baldacci knows how to create great leads. The ambient is different from other mysteries which is a plus.
A Gambling Man is a historical PI story set in the 1950s after Archer came back from the war and out of prison (book 1). Here, he heads to California via Reno from Oklahoma with a female companion, who he met in Reno.
I'd probably read anything Baldacci writes, but to compare I didn't get the same thrill as I do from a Puller, King & Maxwell or Robie series. The audio is really good with male & female narrators. I recognize their voices from other books and it's nice to hear familiar voices.
"I'll definitely keep reading this series. I didn't even know I loved this genre until I read the first one.
Here Archer begins his schooling as a PI, and I like Dash as a teacher. But before he makes it to California Archer has a brief stay in Reno where he meets up with Liberty Callahan who has a few surprises up her sleeve for Archer. Liberty isn't the femme fatale in this story though. That role falls to another of which there are several from which to choose.
These novels ooze sexual tension, and I love the corniness of some of the phrasing. Great fun, again!"
Here Archer begins his schooling as a PI, and I like Dash as a teacher. But before he makes it to California Archer has a brief stay in Reno where he meets up with Liberty Callahan who has a few surprises up her sleeve for Archer. Liberty isn't the femme fatale in this story though. That role falls to another of which there are several from which to choose.
These novels ooze sexual tension, and I love the corniness of some of the phrasing. Great fun, again!"
this is 2.5 stars
not a fan of the far fetched weird story & twists, often a drag
only remember it being tense in one moment, in a 600 page detective thriller
cool characters but often cliché
also the main character is way too perfect in every way, that's boring
but amazing descriptive writing and worldbuilding, stage setting, etc
like a hyperrealist painter that can't use his skills well, doesn't know what to paint
not a fan of the far fetched weird story & twists, often a drag
only remember it being tense in one moment, in a 600 page detective thriller
cool characters but often cliché
also the main character is way too perfect in every way, that's boring
but amazing descriptive writing and worldbuilding, stage setting, etc
like a hyperrealist painter that can't use his skills well, doesn't know what to paint
I liked this book but not nearly as much as Baldacci’s other books. I’m not much for historical fiction to begin with, and this seemed to drag on. The last few chapters were awesome, but I just wished the whole thing was as good as those chapters. I don’t think I’ll read any more in this series if he writes more.
Felt a very similar story to One Good Deed, so felt quite samey. Still very well written but wasn't original enough for me.