A Gambling Man

By: David Baldacci

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Brittany Pressley

Aloysius Archer, the straight-talking World War II veteran fresh out of prison, returns in this riveting new thriller from #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci.

The 1950s are on the horizon, and Archer is in dire need of a fresh start after a nearly fatal detour in Poca City. So Archer hops on a bus and begins the long journey out west to California, where rumor has it there is money to be made if you’re hard-working, lucky, criminal—or all three.

Along the way, Archer stops in Reno, where a stroke of fortune delivers him a wad of cash and an eye-popping blood-red 1939 Delahaye convertible—plus a companion for the final leg of the journey, an aspiring actress named Liberty Callahan who is planning to try her luck in Hollywood. But when the two arrive in Bay Town, California, Archer quickly discovers that the hordes of people who flocked there seeking fame and fortune landed in a false paradise that instead caters to their worst addictions and fears.

Archer’s first stop is a P.I. office where he is hoping to apprentice with a legendary private eye and former FBI agent named Willie Dash. He lands the job, and immediately finds himself in the thick of a potential scandal: a blackmail case involving a wealthy well-connected politician running for mayor that soon spins into something even more sinister. As bodies begin falling, Archer and Dash must infiltrate the world of brothels, gambling dens, drug operations, and long-hidden secrets, descending into the rotten bones of a corrupt town that is selling itself as the promised land—but might actually be the road to perdition, and Archer’s final resting place.

Critic reviews

"David Baldacci is one of the all-time best thriller authors."—Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"A master storyteller."—People

"David Baldacci is a master storyteller."—Associated Press

Another Baldacci Masterpiece

I enjoy listening to thrillers, and David Baldacci never disappoints. I especially enjoy historical novels that bring the listener back in time with a gripping story that captures life during that era. On this score, A Gambling Man succeeds beyond my expectations.

The characters are well developed. The plot is believable. The action is gripping. Who will die next? What lies off the coast? Who are the good guys? It's all here.

Did the story draw me in? I extended my walk about two miles one day to finish the book. I didn't want to wait another day to learn "who dun it."

Even better.

The first Archer book was good so having this be better was a treat. I was surprised by Baldacci’s descriptive use of adjectives. I think I read the first book and I tend to breeze over descriptions. So hearing all the descriptions of clothing everyone was wearing was distracting for a while.

The innuendo between Archer and Liberty was delightful. That most of the women were young, attractive and flirting with Archer distracted a bit.

The mystery was well played and unpredictable for the most part. A few cliches but generally a good time.

I’m looking forward to more of Archer. A bit of a boys out, but a refreshing change.

Love the era and ambience.

This and “One Good Deed” transports me to my father’s tone and my own childhood. A time of directness, truth and the way our country used to be. The nostalgia is nearly overwhelming and I could almost place myself in the midst of it all. I really look forward to more of Archer.

The Archer Series

At this writing, The Archer Series consists of three full-length novels; in order, they are One Good Deed, A Gambling Man, and Dream Town. The ending of book three, Dream Town, leaves no doubt that more is to come. Read in sequence for continuity of characters - a few traverse all novels.

Plot. It is the early 1950s. Americans are war-weary, still recovering, and it seems everyone has a story of service - at home or abroad. A veteran of WWII, Archer is the guy we've all read of in many novels, tall, handsome, with boy-scout morals. Following a wrongful conviction, Archer finds himself drawn to a career as a private investigator. Taken under the wing of former FBI agent Willie Dash in LosAngeles, Archer solves murders, finds missing persons, and gets in and out of scrapes that will have you convinced he's a dead man. But, he perseveres. Think of the era of the mob owning Reno and Vegas, film noir; a time when men wore suits and fedoras, women white gloves and hats.

Liked. No explicit sex, no objectionable language - murders, but not terribly gruesome. Narration, voicing, and production are all done nicely.

Not so hot. The times. Women couldn't make a bank loan without a male guarantor - deplorable debasement of women. 😠 The books are true to the facts of the time; it's no wonder women are so disgusted with inequities that exist to this day.

Written by David Baldacci, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini and Brittany Pressley, on average 10 hours of listening each, released from 2019-2022 by Hachette Audio.

Recommended 1950s PI series, enjoy!

Great story!

Tough to quit listening to this one. Well written and thought out! Reminds me of the verbal repartee in a Bogart movie.