The Superuser

by Collin Moshman, Katie Dozier

When a punk poker superstar loses millions in a mysterious game, he hires disgraced champion and ex-cop Grisham Stark to investigate. As Stark confronts cold-blooded players in Monte Carlo and Las Vegas, he realizes his one shot at redemption is to catch the most dangerous poker cheat of all the Superuser. Behind the scenes, a politician is hijacking the scandal to wage a legislative battle in Washington. A beautiful female player is blackmailed into hiding a deadly secret that threatens to unravel the entire deception, and the ruthless Superuser is killing anyone who dares stand in his way. Grisham Stark will ultimately face a terrifying Is the Superuser’s final goal far more than money?“The Superuser lifts the curtain on the world of gambling. Fascinating.” Simon Wood, author of The Fall Guy“It is hands-down the fastest paced thriller I’ve ever read.” Horse Trader’s Amazon Review“... a chance to experience another world vicariously.” BigAl’s Books and Pals Review

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

347 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 30, 2011

Reviews

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Superuser" is a typical suspense or thriller novel, in that it has all the elements common to the genre, including a mystery in need of a solution and a fast-paced plot. However, it is also unique, because its setting in the poker scene will be new to many readers. While this is not the first novel written by a poker professional to take place in their world, it is the first I’ve seen in this genre. While fictional, the premise, that someone has found a way to see the cards of his competitors while playing online poker, is based on a true story, with some of the techniques used to uncover and prove this was happening in real life figuring into the plot of "Superuser."

I knew these authors would get the poker playing parts of the story right (something non-poker playing authors seldom manage when poker is part of their story). But I wondered how well they would be able to keep the story credible without it appearing to cross the line into non-fiction. They managed this well. I spotted two places where they used real names, once referring in passing to some of the big names in poker, and, in another instance, mentioning two of the experts in the arena of poker math and statistics (one, a coauthor of one of Moshman’s books). All other characters are fictional, with attributes that people in the sphere of competitive gaming share , but clearly not based on any specific individual. The same goes for politicians and other non-poker-playing characters. Events influencing the world of poker during the period of the actual superuser incident, mainly political, are replaced by alternate events with similar effects. The result is an alternative history: fiction that gives a realistic feel for the actual history.

I can’t imagine a poker player who wouldn’t enjoy "Superuser." For non-players, it is a chance to experience a difference world vicariously.

**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so . Shelley MA

[Christine Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book despite having no idea of how to play poker!

[A Book Vacation · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

To see my full review:

http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...

This novel has a great premise and murder mystery that develops within, but there was so much poker lingo and speech that it bogged me down, forcing me to read the novel in sections because I just couldn’t keep up. I am not a poker player, and I don’t crunch numbers or understand science all that well, so this leaves me at a disadvantage with novels that focus more on the left side of the brain as I’m a right side brain thinker all the way. There was just so much lingo and discussion using terms and ideas I was unfamiliar with that I had a difficult time focusing on the novel, but I don’t think everyone will have that problem. In fact, this novel would be great for the poker lover, someone into the sciences and technology, or someone who just wants to learn a bit about the gambling world. And, like I said before, there’s a fairly intriguing murder mystery in the mix, making it all the more enticing, and the characterization was very well done, I just had a hard time with the poker aspect, which was much of the novel.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave this book only 3 stars because it is about gambling and poker games both on-line and in casinos. I do not gamble and did not find the book very interesting. I thought about not finishing it but I read to the end to find out who the murderer was.
It is an action suspense thriller. In the prologue, Ishoro Yomakate, a gambling mogul is murdered.
Grisham Stark, who is divorced, can't pay his bills, has his car repossessed, is hired to investigate the death and Poker Ocean.
This was one book that I did not find hard to put down.

[Vince · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. A change of pace using the online poker world as a backdrop. If factual, it gives good insight into how that world works. Pretty well written and overall a decent read.