A Gambling ManA Gambling Man
What it's about
As the 1950s approach, World War II veteran Aloysius Archer, fresh out of prison and a near-fatal detour in Poca City, heads west to California for a fresh start. On the way, a stroke of luck in Reno sets him up, and in California he takes a job with a private investigator, on a case full of danger.
Why it's worth reading
It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 16 weeks on the lists.
You'll love it if you liked
One Good Deed
The Big Sleep
Memory ManGood to know
It's the second Archer novel; start with One Good Deed.
By the numbers
- Readers34 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller42 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #395 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #377 of the 481 new books we rank
- #2190 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by David Baldacci
Divine Justice
First Family
The Whole TruthOne Good DeedIf you like this, read next
The Correspondent
The Housemaid
Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty
Remarkably Bright Creatures
The Tainted Cup
The Frozen RiverExplore the best-of lists
All 36 best-of lists →
Quick answers
Is A Gambling Man worth reading?
Yes. It reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and spent 16 weeks on the lists. It ranks #2,190 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 61.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is A Gambling Man about?
As the 1950s approach, World War II veteran Aloysius Archer, fresh out of prison and a near-fatal detour in Poca City, heads west to California for a fresh start. On the way, a stroke of luck in Reno sets him up, and in California he takes a job with a private investigator, on a case full of danger.
How long does it take to read A Gambling Man?
About 9 hours (352 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after A Gambling Man?
If you liked it, try One Good Deed by David Baldacci, The Big Sleep by Raymond Chandler or Memory Man by David Baldacci.