Third Wheel

By: Richard R Becker

Narrated by: Brian Callanan

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Las Vegas, 1982. Brady Wilks, a teenage transplant from the Midwest, navigates life in the dusty suburban outskirts of an aberrant 24-hour town built by the Mob. Outcast as a newcomer, Brady forges a brotherly bond with an older teenage neighbor, Mick, and his friend, Brett. But when Brett unexpectedly moves away, Mick invites a new kid into their pack, squeezing out the last remnants of their childhood in favor of a new world laced with cartel-supplied drugs and the deal of a lifetime.

Third Wheel is a powerful novel about belonging, betrayal, and breaking away from paths laid out by others, even when it means grasping at an uncertain future. It is the story of a boy trying to find his identity without the benefit of a role model by taking chances on random and fragile relationships forged in the predawn hours of a future boomtown.

Desolate and gritty, Third Wheel is a triumphant debut novel, and Brady Wilks is remarkable as a transformative protagonist. Four-time award-winning author Richard R. Becker shares his unique insight into the human condition.

©2023 Richard R Becker (P)2023 Richard R Becker

Great coming of age story

Our young hero trying to grow up the best he can and find his place in the world. I love stories set in Vegas (home), especially during the time it was transitioning from a small city to a large city. The story goes by fast. Hopefully we get another installment of Brady’s life as he becomes an adult.

A Gritty Tale of Adolescence

Third Wheel by Richard R. Becker takes us on a nostalgic journey to 1982 Las Vegas, where a young protagonist named Brady Wilks grapples with the complexities of life in a Mob-built town. As a newcomer from Cleveland, Brady’s struggle to find his place in this eccentric 24-hour city forms the heart of the novel.

One of the standout features of Third Wheel is the narration. Brian Callanan truly steals the show, adding depth and emotion to the characters and the story. I’m glad he didn’t try and make Brady into a little kid through his performance – in my opinion, the way he acted wouldn’t have mixed with a childish voice. Their performance enhances the overall experience and makes it highly engaging.

Going into this audiobook with little prior knowledge of the plot, I was pleasantly surprised by the narrative. Becker presents the world through the eyes of “I feel older than 14-year-old” Brady. The portrayal of young love and budding emotions was handled with sensitivity, providing a refreshing contrast to the gritty backdrop of the novel.

The dynamics within the group of “friends” Brady becomes entangled with are expertly crafted, infusing tension and anxiety into each scene. Becker skillfully portrays the complexities of teenage relationships and the way they evolve over time. Also giving us a peek behind the curtain into how kids can get swept up into the seedy underbelly. The “favor” owed by one character adds an intriguing twist to the story, keeping the reader guessing about its ultimate resolution.

One aspect that might divide readers is the book’s ending. The story concludes somewhat abruptly, leaving room for interpretation. While some may find this open-ended approach thought-provoking, others might have preferred a more conclusive resolution. Personally, I wish there had been a bit of a longer epilogue, but I think I get why Becker just ended it.

I didn’t want to devote the time my brain wanted — the one character who stands out, albeit in a negative way, is Brady’s mother. Her actions and behavior make her easily hateable, adding layers of conflict to Brady’s already challenging life. She was a monster and it makes me hope that Brady is able to break the cycle and get away from her as quickly as he can.

Third Wheel is a compelling coming-of-age novel that delves into themes of belonging, betrayal, and forging one’s own path. Richard R. Becker paints a vivid picture of 1982 Las Vegas, and Brady Wilks is a transformative protagonist who navigates this world with resilience. While the audiobook’s narration shines, the open-ended conclusion may leave some readers craving more closure. Despite this, the book is an enjoyable and engaging read, and it effectively captures the complexities of adolescence and the pursuit of identity amidst adversity.

Coming of age in Las Vegas

Third Wheel is a mesmerizingly entertaining, thought-provoking, and gripping audiobook from four-time award-winning and best-selling writer Richard R. Becker.

Set in 1982, the story follows Brady Wilks, a teenager who has relocated from the Midwest to Las Vegas. As Brady navigates life on the periphery of a town built by the Mob, unexpected twists and intriguing characters come into play and bring fundamental changes with them.

The storytelling of Third Wheel is extremely well-crafted, immersive, and atmospheric. The author paints a vivid picture of 1980’s Las Vegas capturing its look, feel, and unique atmosphere.

The novel delves into themes featuring friendships, broken dreams, betrayal, drugs, guns, and mobsters. To make all of this even more interesting, the events are set expertly against the iconic backdrop of Las Vegas, one of the most renowned and written about cities in the entire world.

Emmy-winning TV host, producer, and distinguished narrator Brian Callanan masterfully brings this tale, its characters and events to life in the excellent audiobook version. His seamless reading, skillful acting, and ability to switch between voices and accents make him the perfect choice for this production.

Whether portraying teenagers, women, or ruthless mobsters, Brian’s delivery is always spot-on and resonates with authenticity.

I am familiar with previous works from both the author and the narrator so I was ready for a captivating experience, but Third Wheel surprises beyond expectations!

If you appreciate well-written fiction stories that transport you fully to another time and place, don’t miss out on Third Wheel by Richard R. Becker, it’s a fast-paced and riveting coming-of-age story that emphasizes character development and detailed descriptions.
I am a blind audiobook reviewer, so if you found this review interesting I hope you will consider leaving a helpful vote below. Most audiobooks I receive for free for review purposes. Thank you! Take care, stay safe, and don't forget, always listen with your heart.

Like you were there

More than a period piece, Becker faithfully illustrates the power circumstances, choices and Las Vegas had on youth during the seventies and eighties. Well written and full of suspense. The story mixes real history and geography with seemingly impossible circumstances for a young delinquent underrated by family, friends, adversaries and himself. This book is for anybody who grew up with D&D, cutoffs and a few bad friends, but I would also recommend it to high school teens.

Gritty coming of age

Life is already hard but when a young man relocates to another area, he must find his niche and a set of friends. Unfortunately, Brady finds himself drawn into a very dangerous and unforgiving life.

The author, Richard Becker weaves a powerfully gritty tale of friendship, family, betrayal, loyalty, belonging, and self-discovery. Brady’s struggle to belong yet be respectable and strong is captivating to hear as it unfolds. Watching/hearing his struggles and experiences enriched the storyline, building a strong connection between the listener and each character. The plot twists were well-crafted as well. The insights are well structured allowing the listener to see the characters and situations vividly. This allows for the story to be more powerful.

The narrator, Brian Callahan slipped into each character easily and fluidly. His projection of each character’s essence was distinct, providing clarity and increases the powerfulness of the story. His delivery was smooth and steady, increasing when necessary to highlight the differing tensions within the story.

This was an intriguing coming-of-age book that invites the listener to remember their childhood regardless of their age – it was engaging from moment one.

There were no issues with the production or quality of the audiobook.