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Roulette
PLEASE NOTE: Roulette has now been unpublished and both stories in it are now included for free with the novel Bang: Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin. If you already own a Kindle copy of Bang, ask Amazon to update it to the latest edition to receive the stories.
Welcome to the Other Halves Valentine’s Day Speed-Dating Event!
You know how speed-dating works. Eighteen men and eighteen women, all looking for love. Five minutes each, everyone spinning round like a roulette wheel.
Except tonight, it’s not roulette. It’s Russian roulette. Eighteen-chamber Russian roulette, clicking round and round, seventeen empty chambers and one bullet.
Me.
My name’s Scott Rowley, your relationship assassin for the evening, and I’m here to kill something stone dead.
Roulette is a 4,000 word short story from the author of 'Fake Kate' and 'Bang: Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin'.
Includes a bonus 4,500 word short story: Players
Sometimes it’s not the professional relationship assassins you need to watch out for. It’s the amateurs. The ones who treat everything as a game.
Sometimes men break women’s hearts just for fun.
Sometimes they’re the ones I have to take out.
Welcome to the Other Halves Valentine’s Day Speed-Dating Event!
You know how speed-dating works. Eighteen men and eighteen women, all looking for love. Five minutes each, everyone spinning round like a roulette wheel.
Except tonight, it’s not roulette. It’s Russian roulette. Eighteen-chamber Russian roulette, clicking round and round, seventeen empty chambers and one bullet.
Me.
My name’s Scott Rowley, your relationship assassin for the evening, and I’m here to kill something stone dead.
Roulette is a 4,000 word short story from the author of 'Fake Kate' and 'Bang: Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin'.
Includes a bonus 4,500 word short story: Players
Sometimes it’s not the professional relationship assassins you need to watch out for. It’s the amateurs. The ones who treat everything as a game.
Sometimes men break women’s hearts just for fun.
Sometimes they’re the ones I have to take out.
22 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2012
21 people want to read
About the author
David Wailing
23 books59 followersI was born in Nineteen Davidey-Dave (all the best people were born that year) and live in London. I write contemporary fiction, a blend of mystery, thriller and humour.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
My most recent novel is Under, a horror/mystery set on the London Underground. Both it and Signal Failure - a prelude short story available for free - are the result of a long-held fascination with the London Underground and its history.
As a native Londoner I have travelled on the Tube thousands of times, but it always feels like inhabiting a slightly different world to the city on the surface. The facts and figures of the Underground are just as fascinating as its mysteries and shadowy corners, and I hope my book does justice to both aspects.
I have five other novels available as Kindle ebooks: Auto, Auto 2, Bang, Duallists and Fake Kate.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 26, 2012
This little book is composed of two short stories based on a character from one of the author's full length novels, 'Bang, Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin' which I have not read. Although I find the original premise (someone making a living from deliberately destroying relationships) rather unpleasantly cynical in contrast to my own optimistic and generally happy view of life, there is no doubt that David Wailing can tell a good story. Roulette, the first story, gives us a funny and perspicacious observation of people, dividing them into types. Scott, the 'assassin', very quickly sums up the ladies with whom he is presented at a speed dating event.
The second story, 'The Players' came over as rather darker, less humorous but again, well observed and told. A gang of three young men are watched (by Scott again) in a bar and we listen in as they discuss the local talent. Their unpleasantness gets its comeuppance!
These stories relate to the author's novel so I should probably read that now! They are a good short read for an evening's entertainment.
The second story, 'The Players' came over as rather darker, less humorous but again, well observed and told. A gang of three young men are watched (by Scott again) in a bar and we listen in as they discuss the local talent. Their unpleasantness gets its comeuppance!
These stories relate to the author's novel so I should probably read that now! They are a good short read for an evening's entertainment.
October 2, 2012
The reality of relationships and human behaviour...
Two short stories Roulette and Players.
I have come across the first short story before, I believe it was in an anthology of short tales by various authors. I can remember thinking at the time I read it that I would like to see/read a full length novel with that concept. That arrived in the form of Bang (Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin).
Both Roulette and Players feature the main character from Bang.
The two shorts are witty yet bordering on sarcastic, shallow and yet swimming in murky dark depths of truth and above all they are just a tad off key and memorably different.
I would love to see this concept in a longer version. The author wasn't quite able to sustain that brilliantly deep, kind of screwed up and totally on the ball view of relationships throughout the book Bang. Perhaps in the next book, and in the meantime I do recommend these two short tales.
Two short stories Roulette and Players.
I have come across the first short story before, I believe it was in an anthology of short tales by various authors. I can remember thinking at the time I read it that I would like to see/read a full length novel with that concept. That arrived in the form of Bang (Memoirs of a Relationship Assassin).
Both Roulette and Players feature the main character from Bang.
The two shorts are witty yet bordering on sarcastic, shallow and yet swimming in murky dark depths of truth and above all they are just a tad off key and memorably different.
I would love to see this concept in a longer version. The author wasn't quite able to sustain that brilliantly deep, kind of screwed up and totally on the ball view of relationships throughout the book Bang. Perhaps in the next book, and in the meantime I do recommend these two short tales.
April 24, 2012
What an awesome twosome ! And no I'm not just talking about Scott and his sidekick, but about the two-short stories I've just read :)
It's so nice to read something with Scott in it, especially after enjoying Bang so much. I expected to see him back in action in Roulette, but the additional story earns Mister Wailing big brownie points IMO !
I was thinking of recommending Roulette as a "sampler" of David's writing, but no, you totally need to read Bang first. Then when you get withdrawal symptoms you read Roulette. Or you read Roulette, then read Bang to understand the bits you've missed out on, and then read Roulette again.
An easy, fun read. The tales of the relationship assassin are totally addictive. You really really REALLY have to write some more Mister Wailing, alright?
It's so nice to read something with Scott in it, especially after enjoying Bang so much. I expected to see him back in action in Roulette, but the additional story earns Mister Wailing big brownie points IMO !
I was thinking of recommending Roulette as a "sampler" of David's writing, but no, you totally need to read Bang first. Then when you get withdrawal symptoms you read Roulette. Or you read Roulette, then read Bang to understand the bits you've missed out on, and then read Roulette again.
An easy, fun read. The tales of the relationship assassin are totally addictive. You really really REALLY have to write some more Mister Wailing, alright?
April 18, 2012
If you loved David Wailing's 'Bang' then you will love this book! Two short stories are told about Scott, the relationship assassin. One of them at a speed dating event, which was hilarious. I loved the titles that Scott made up for each of the women he met there. The other is set in a busy bar on a Friday night and looks at a group of men on the pull.
I really like David Wailing's style of writing and very quickly get immersed in his stories and these couple of shorts were no different. I love the way that he looks at people and their relationships, as well as their actions and interactions. I am looking forward to reading more from David in the future.
I really like David Wailing's style of writing and very quickly get immersed in his stories and these couple of shorts were no different. I love the way that he looks at people and their relationships, as well as their actions and interactions. I am looking forward to reading more from David in the future.
August 30, 2012
Two short stories set in the "Relationship Assassin" world. If you enjoyed "Bang," you'll enjoy these stories as well.
Of the two, "Roulette" was my favorite and made me laugh out loud several times. "Players" is a darker story that will make you think twice about picking up people in bars.
Scott, the main character, continues to evolve through these short stories. I especially liked his self-examination during "Players."
Looking forward to the next story set in this world. I'd love to see some of the other characters from "Bang" again, especially Becky. I feel that she and Scott have unfinished business.
Of the two, "Roulette" was my favorite and made me laugh out loud several times. "Players" is a darker story that will make you think twice about picking up people in bars.
Scott, the main character, continues to evolve through these short stories. I especially liked his self-examination during "Players."
Looking forward to the next story set in this world. I'd love to see some of the other characters from "Bang" again, especially Becky. I feel that she and Scott have unfinished business.
April 20, 2012
This is my first experience of David Wailing's work and I really enjoyed these two short stories. Wailing seems to be an expert at dropping a character into a scene and bringing them to life. I loved the vivid atmosphere in each story and am looking forward to reading his full length novels.
These two stories give an insight into the multiplicity of human nature. And point out the 'masks' that we all wear when dealing with different situations. However Wailing does all this without getting too 'heavy' and the stories are fun fast paced reads.
These two stories give an insight into the multiplicity of human nature. And point out the 'masks' that we all wear when dealing with different situations. However Wailing does all this without getting too 'heavy' and the stories are fun fast paced reads.
May 2, 2012
An intriguing story line, I wonder if these 'assassins' really exist. Would be an interesting job for sure! Hope I never have to come across one...
Loved this book/short story and would recommend. There are 2 stories in the book both as good as the other and it doesn't take long to read them.
Loved this book/short story and would recommend. There are 2 stories in the book both as good as the other and it doesn't take long to read them.
June 3, 2014
Roulette by David Wailing
Although Roulette is only a 4000 word short story, it does not lack for punch. Fast-paced and brilliantly written, it cleverly introduces the reader to the subject matter, giving them an insight into the concept behind the novel: Bang.
The story introduces us to the Relationship Assassin, Scott Rowley, who investigates suspected cheating wives or husbands for their partners. It takes us through one such meeting with his target at a speed dating event. Before you know it, you will be sucked into the assassin’s world and wanting to know the outcome.
It certainly teased me and I look forward to reading the novel that features Roulette.
Although Roulette is only a 4000 word short story, it does not lack for punch. Fast-paced and brilliantly written, it cleverly introduces the reader to the subject matter, giving them an insight into the concept behind the novel: Bang.
The story introduces us to the Relationship Assassin, Scott Rowley, who investigates suspected cheating wives or husbands for their partners. It takes us through one such meeting with his target at a speed dating event. Before you know it, you will be sucked into the assassin’s world and wanting to know the outcome.
It certainly teased me and I look forward to reading the novel that features Roulette.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews