Katarina Mayer – Gambling Wives

‘Gambling Wives’ by Katarina Mayer is an entertaining and explosive thriller that kept me hooked from start to finish.

We meet three women, Valerie, Laura and Hannah. They are all leading a ‘double life’. They are all high rolling gamblers. The only honest thing in their lives is their friendship as they have to tell so many lies to their families. The manager from their casino in Las Vegas turns up in their village one day and their double lives begin to collide. They set out to pull off their biggest hustle yet. Their friendship and way of life is about to be challenged by things they could never have imagined. Will one of them add murder to her list of secrets?

Katarina Mayer brings us a cautionary tale for those who crave that bit more excitement in the humdrum of everyday life. An exciting and very entertaining novel of just how deadly secrets and lies can be. I found this such an explosive story, I felt like I was reading at the speed of light. it was that gripping.
Laura is a woman who has found herself in the boring role of housewife and mother after sacrificing her career for love. She craves that bit more and finds it in her secret casino life with her two friends. As the consequences start to become a bit more than she ever thought can she tell-all, or does she crave the excitement more than she loves her family?

These women are portrayed brilliantly and I loved reading about their lives, the secrets and lies had me glued to their story. The woman I liked the most was Hannah, her abusive relationship was heartbreaking and I could empathise with her, even though she did make some silly choices. All three of these characters are very well created and had me invested in what was happening. The setting in the glamorous Las Vegas was so well described I could have been there with these three. The excitement of Las Vegas alone, never mind the poker games, was there. I felt it all and it left me wishing I could actually visit Las Vegas, just to see it in real life.

I enjoyed every page of this book and loved watching the culmination of secrets and lies unravelling for Laura, Hannah and Valerie. A story that shows how easy it is to get much more than you bargain for.

Thanks to Random Things Tours, Katarina Mayer and NetGalley for the copy of this glamorous but dangerous story.