Plow: In the Hollows

by Saz Keukan

Patrick, a married man in his early thirties with a white-collar job as his identity and alcohol as his salve, works himself to the bone, breaks down, and goes to Vegas with his friends - fellow hedonists under thin corporate veneers - to recoup his debts through blackjack. The weekend unfolds in a liquored and fevered blur, with stakes ratcheting up not only in blackjack, but in Patrick's inward-facing journey.

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 7, 2026

Reviews

[L · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterful look at how easily a corporate identity can hollow a person. Bravo to Keukan on a debut novel that explores themes of addiction, ruminations, and the souless climb up the corporate ladder.

​The story follows Patrick, a man in his 30s whose entire sense of self is tied to his job until he finally hits a breaking point. Everything unfolds during a guys trip to Vegas, fueled by high-stakes blackjack and a liquored blur.

​What truly sets this book apart is the writing and dialogue. It’s a style unlike anything I’ve read before (no quotation marks, limited use of commas), moving with a rhythmic, frantic energy that feels almost claustrophobic. Despite the dark subject matter, the banter between the guy friends is incredibly sharp, witty, and lightning fast. It’s a quick, punchy, and stylistically fresh read that you could easily finish in a single sitting.

[N Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plow is a vivid, page-turning exploration into the thin and sometimes non-existent line between striving for everything and having nothing. My incredible commuting companion for the last 2 weeks, it transported me to Las Vegas with Patrick and his compatriots. And, as if my brain were assisted by the town's fabled extra oxygen, I could see the cards flashing across a blackjack table. I could hear the crowds and other sounds buzzing through the casino. I could feel my heart rate increase as the stakes increased. And I could smell and taste the alcohol and feel its effects as the characters consumed it and it consumed them. This was a powerful reflection on what we take for granted and need to appreciate most in life.

[Stacy C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story of reflection, addiction, and relationships with loved ones, all tied into the pressure of blackjack. Not only gambling with the dealer, but yourself.