Pocket Money

by M.F. Lamphere

May 22, 1992 I’ve been away four years. A college lifetime. Heading back to meet up with my high school buddies, I wonder how I got to twenty-two with them still in my life. I wonder if they even are. Does today count? Initial nostalgia aside, do we know each other? Do they think they know me? Did they ever really know me? Things have changed. “The guys hanging out, like old times,” they said. What’s the worst that could happen? POCKET MONEY. Pocket Money tells the tale of a day in the life of four friends who revel in their shared histories as they come to terms with where they are now, how they got there, and where they’re going. The psychological threads of each character unspools as they weave and tangle while life changing secrets are revealed during a day of memories…and murder.

252 pages, Paperback

Published June 2, 2016

About the author

Mary Lamphere is a writer, designer, and artist,
Wife, mother, and grandmother,
Friend, fan, and reliable resource,
And lastly, procrastinator extraordinaire.

She lives in DeKalb, Illinois with her husband and corgis.

Reviews

[M.F. Lamphere · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I'm biased, lol, but I wouldn't have published a book that I didn't believe was worth reading! Pocket Money is about people and relationships, shared history and being complicit. It's funny, it's sad, it's dark, and it's revealing. The reader gets to know these four guys as their stories unfold, fall apart, and tangle. There's a fine line between truth and absurdity and they're walking it tightly.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truthfully, at first I was a little overwhelmed by all of the description but once the plot starts I could not put this book down.

It all happens in one day, so the action (once it starts) is nonstop. Usually I will take a break between the chapters of a book if there are natural stopping points but in this case I didn’t want to stop until I’d finished the entire book.

I’ve never had such mixed feelings about the main characters in a book before. Do I like the Psychedelic Fours or not? I’m still not sure! And honestly, I think the mark of a good book is that you’re still thinking about it days later, and that’s the current position I’m in.

I’m still reeling from that ending!

[Adele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I the night after I finished it, I sat down to read it out of habit and was quite disappointed when I realized I'd finished it the night before! It's been about a month since I finished the book and I still find myself thinking about it and talking about it. I loved the pace of the book and the storytelling. I finished it in just a few short evenings.
The story takes place in one day. It's one day that four friends return home after college and meet-up. There is so much that you can relate to, yet so many surprises. Each character is their own person, with a VERY well developed personality. The author did such a great job with making you feel like you knew each character in such a short period of time. I also love the darkness and mystery surrounding this book. Although the narrator is well-developed, you never find out who he is. This is a unique, yet interesting way to tell a story because it allows the reader to add in a lot of their own opinions and thoughts.
I highly recommend taking the time to read this book, putting it down will be a challenge and not thinking about it will be impossible!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, I didn't see THAT coming! HOLY CRAP! I've never said those words to myself as many times while reading a book as I did while reading Pocket Money; and I read A LOT. This is one of those books that should come with a warning: ADDICTIVE! Once you start, just try to put it down; I dare you. I can't wait for the movie; or better yet , M. F. Lamphere's next book.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read Pocket Money in one day! Reminded me of Gyllian Flynn's style. A good journey into the dark side of human choices.

[Randy Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old resentments die hard in M.F. Lamphere’s dark thriller, Pocket Money. In this, her debut novel, the tie of friendship that binds four young men slowly unravels. A chilling “boys-will-be-boys” morality test, Pocket Money will stick with you long after its jaw-dropping climax.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story started out fairly normal. Four life-long friends getting together and learning what had been going on in their respective lives for the last few years. However, shortly into the story, I said to myself, "What the hell? Did that just happen?"
This book takes the reader on a wild ride all the while weaving a truly fascinating backstory for each of the characters. It also showcases, at times, the most depraved fragments of humanity's dark souls.
Rick clearly has mental issues and is the most disturbed of the "Psychedelic Fours."
However, Stoney is a bright light. He has a genuinely soft heart, but is caught in a downward spiral of life's circumstances.
Unfortunately, depending on the season, I can't take long stretches to read. However, this book was practically un-put-downable. The pacing was good and I never grew bored.
My reason for a four star review is most of the characters are unlikable, in my estimation. Also, I could not relate as these were young men in their early 20s and I'm well past 20 and not a man.
That said, this was a truly unique, dark, engaging story I can see, hopefully, being a blockbuster movie.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. This will be a very good book club book. A lot of discussion will pursue. I found out that as I read I had to take breaks because the character actions were stressing me. In my head I was yelling at them and really struggling to understand if I had been there if I could have changed their outcome. I wondered if I would be dragged into decision process. It made me wonder if I had experienced the same circumstances would I be drawn to do the things they had. I wondered.... a lot.