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A Gambling Man (An Archer Novel, 2) Hardcover – April 20, 2021
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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.
- Print length448 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherGrand Central Publishing
- Publication dateApril 20, 2021
- Dimensions6.4 x 1.75 x 9.35 inches
- ISBN-101538719673
- ISBN-13978-1538719671
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From the Publisher
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Dream Town | One Good Deed | The 6:20 Man | Memory Man | Long Road to Mercy | |
More from the thrilling world of #1 New York Times bestselling author David Baldacci. | Private investigator and World War II veteran Aloysius Archer heads to Los Angeles, the city where dreams are made and shattered, and is ensnared in a lethal case. "Baldacci nails the noir." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) | When a murder takes place right under his nose, a WWII veteran and ex-con is forced to investigate a small-town murder... or risk being sent right back to prison. | A cryptic murder pulls a former soldier turned financial analyst deep into the corruption and menace that prowl beneath the opulent world of finance. | This "impossible to put down" #1 New York Times bestseller introduces Amos Decker, a gifted police detective with a perfect memory who must solve a mystery he wishes he could forget: his family's murder (Washington Post). | Introducing Atlee Pine, an FBI agent with special skills assigned to the remote wilds of the southwestern United States who must confront a new threat . . . and an old nightmare. |
Editorial Reviews
Review
"David Baldacci is no stranger to hitting literary home runs, but his second book to feature World War II veteran turned avenging angel Aloysius Archer, A Gambling Man, is a flat-out grand slam . . . Few authors are able to frame period pieces for a contemporary sensibility, but Baldacci proves more than up to the task in fashioning a tale that's as close to perfect as a thriller can get."―Providence Sunday Journal
“Baldacci . . . definitely is onto something with Archer. He’s a very interesting guy, in a rough-and-tumble way, and Baldacci renders Archer's postwar world with the kind of vivid detail that catches a reader’s eye . . . Readers new to the series will definitely want to catch up on what they've missed.”―Booklist
"Fans of Baldacci should go all in for A Gambling Man. This spicy novel deals out a hand of brothels, gambling dens, drug operations, and government corruption—all a sure bet for a rollicking good time."―New York Journal of Books
“Baldacci establishes bona fides for this historical mystery with great delicacy, deftly navigating the cliché minefield and giving his readers a sense of the milieu without drowning them in minutiae. He delivers a cracking good suspense novel in the process.”―BookPage
"Baldacci delivers, every time!"―Lisa Scottoline, New York Times bestselling author
"David Baldacci is a master storyteller."―Associated Press
"With drugs, gambling, brothels, murders and more, for historical crime fans, this one’s got it all."―CNN Underscored
"A Gambling Man is delicious crime noir with fascinating historical data thrown in to keep the story interesting . . . Archer is one of today’s standout fictional characters, and you are missing out if you don’t jump into this terrific series at the beginning."―Bookreporter.com
"A master storyteller."―People
“A Gambling Man moves at a steady clip, as Baldacci’s plot pays homage to private eye novels by Raymond Chandler and Ross Macdonald. Archer is a well-drawn character, a man of his times who tries to overcome his past and embrace new attitudes. Liberty is no damsel in distress but is a strong woman who knows how to protect herself and isn’t fooled by any man, rising above clichés that may surround showgirls . . . A return to Archer and Liberty will be welcomed."―South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"In Archer, Baldacci has plumbed post-war time and place. His story’s personality is framed by Archer’s snappy dialogue [and] infused with just the right amount of suspense to keep you glued to the narrative."―Jersey's Best
"Good stuff from a master. Can’t wait for another."―Florida Times-Union
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Grand Central Publishing; First Edition (April 20, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 448 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1538719673
- ISBN-13 : 978-1538719671
- Item Weight : 1.42 pounds
- Dimensions : 6.4 x 1.75 x 9.35 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #95,689 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,102 in Mystery Action & Adventure
- #2,134 in Thriller & Suspense Action Fiction
- #8,706 in Suspense Thrillers
- Customer Reviews:
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About the author

David Baldacci has been writing since childhood, when his mother gave him a lined notebook in which to write down his stories. (Much later, when David thanked her for being the spark that ignited his writing career, she revealed that she'd given him the notebook to keep him quiet, "because every mom needs a break now and then.")
David published his first novel, ABSOLUTE POWER, in 1996. A feature film followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 44 novels for adults; all have been national and international bestsellers and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into over 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries, with 150 million copies sold worldwide. David has also published seven novels for younger readers.
David is also the cofounder, along with his wife, of the Wish You Well Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting literacy efforts across the United States.
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Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2021
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Archer is on his way to Bay City, CA, to become an apprentice private eye. After Callahan saves his life, he decides to give her a ride, at least most of the way to Hollywood. Because Archer has won a good sum of money by “not gambling” at craps and roulette, they travel in style in a 1939 Delahaye Model One Sixty-Five, Figoni and Falashi convertible cabriolet. (Do yourself a favor and Google this magnificent French-made automobile.)
Archer’s goal is to hook up with Willie Dash, Very Private Investigations, a former FBI agent who was recommended by Lieutenant Detective Irwin Shaw, back in Poca City. Although Liberty Callahan’s goal was to get to Hollywood and become a movie star, she forms a friendship, laced with a bit of sexual tension, with Archer and takes a job singing at a local nightclub.
Liberty is an immediate smash hit, but Archer has a lot to learn from Dash, and he needs to learn quickly because he finds himself in the middle of a case, the intricacies of which reminded me a bit of the 1974 movie “Chinatown,” starring Jack Nicholson. Specifically, Archer has to tread carefully as he investigates a case that involves power, politics, corruption, and a mysterious bit of family intrigue.
Bay City is run by a wealthy man, Sawyer Armstrong, whose son-in-law, Douglas Kemper, is running for mayor. But Armstrong is not only wealthy, he seems to own outright or have a financial interest in virtually everything that has value. Archer becomes involved with the family when Kemper comes to him for help because he’s being blackmailed.
Just when the reader begins to wonder if Archer is a kind of superman, like Lee Child’s Jack Reacher, he is soundly beaten by Armstrong’s strong-arm henchmen Hank and Tony. But Liberty sticks with Archer through thick and thin. P.I. Willie Dash seems to have an advisory role, at least until he shows up with a machine gun that he claims to have taken “from Ma Barker’s cold, dead hands.” Still, it’s wonderful to listen to Archer and Dash sift through clues together and formulate hypotheses.
Like the first book in this new Baldacci series, A Gambling Man takes us back to a time that most people will recognize through the novels by Ross McDonald, Mickey Spillane, Dashiell Hammett, and Raymond Chandler.
...Jim Glynn
I’m not a big Baldacci devotee but I liked the first Archer book, “One Good Deed” well enough to purchase this title. The pacing is good and I enjoy the late 1940’s period; the author captures it nicely with descriptions of clothing, cars, and the dialog style of the era. An awful lot of bodies drop in this story to the point where you almost wonder if anyone will survive by the ending. There’s plenty of action and good old fashioned sleuthing that should satisfy mystery fans who like pre-CSI detectives.
My only complaints revolve around the author’s depictions of guns. Early on in after one encounter with a trio of bad guys who Archer and Liberty are able to disarm they take their guns and throw them in a nearby river. Then we get this line: “He watched them float for a few minutes in the strong current, and then they were gone,…” Umm, no way any firearms are “floating” for a few seconds, let alone a few minutes; they would sink like rocks immediately. Later on Archer pulls his .38 revolver and observes that: “He had five shots left in the barrel.” Nope, he had five shots left in the cylinder; it’s impossible for them to be in the barrel of the pistol. If you don’t know guns this wouldn’t matter and it’s just nit-picking on my part but for those readers who are familiar with handguns it is annoying.
I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series due out this year, “Dream Town” where we find Archer and Liberty in L.A. for new adventures. I hope that Archer enjoys a long run and Baldacci keeps them coming.
The pace of their adventures makes for an easy read, could be read as a standalone, but even better if you have Archer’s history from “One Good Deed”. Both the variety of characters and the very descriptive time period are superbly written. You feel just like you’re there in another era. Another winner from a longtime favorite author, already have the next book on my TBR list.
Top reviews from other countries

He does, at least, have a new job to go to and not every 2nd World War veteran has that. His new boss, Willie Dash, a quick thinking, experienced private eye isn't swimming in cases but one lands on his doorstep at almost the same time as Archer.
His travelling companion, Liberty Callahan, was on her way to Hollywood but decides to stay a while in Bay Town and gets herself a job at a burlesque club where Archer finds himself and Dash investigating a blackmail case which is about to get very dangerous very quickly. He likes his new home town but wonders if he'll live long enough to to experience its highlights.
This is the second Archer book and is as professionally executed as the first. Archer now has a very nice ride and a lady friend who plans to be the next big thing to hit Hollywood. He also has a boss who he was recommended to by the cop from the first book. That is the only connection to 'One Good Deed' and so this can easily be read as a standalone although that is also an excellent read.
As with all David Baldacci books there is a lot of description but there are clues and relevant information hidden throughout. He also paints a vivid picture of smallish town America after the war in the sunshine state, although it seems to rain quite a bit!
The case involving the cream of Bay Town society is complex, evenly paced, and draws you in immediately. The pace of life is not hectic, the coroner smokes at the crime scene and you'll need change for the phone readily to hand all of which is delivered in a wonderfully atmospheric and realistic manner. I was glad I didn't work the solution out any faster than Archer as it made for an extremely satisfying read from the first chapter to the last. Now I just have to wait to find out what happens next.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

After reading the first book in this series I thought what an amazing exciting new character a very entertaining and pleasurable book to read written with the usual quality of Mr Baldacci.
I was certainly pleased at the time of ordering this second in the series outing for Aloysius Archer to have another chance to visit this excellent character until I started reading it.
I thought there was something wrong almost straight away but I persevered until I was convinced that this was definitely the most boring book I have ever read, it was absolute dribble I actually can’t believe Mr Baldacci could write as bad as this and feel very let down, now you might be forgiven for thinking I’m getting personal about the quality of this book well I have several other ardent David Baldacci fans who are friends and all think equally about Mr Baldacci and his superb ability to write incredible books with incredible characters and story lines and like me they all have a complete collection of his books and these people are of the same opinion as me they thought it was dribble as well and were equally disappointed in this very dull outing that some actually read through to the very end and wished they had not.
Mr Baldacci you are an amazing writer of novels and have provided me with superb entertainment over the years please don’t write another book as boring as this again I certainly look forward to your next book and hope that it’s a book created by your usual excellent talents, after all anybody of your amazing talent is entitled to have an off day having already written so many excellent books so here’s to your next novel and let’s hope it is up to your usual excellent standard.


His move to the '40's has really forced a change in style as well as content with strong Shades of Chinatown. It is really refreshing and worthwhile.
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