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Scam
If you're gonna steal something...
Best to know what you're stealing and who you're stealing from.
When wannabe criminal Jonathan hears about a life-changing amount of unprotected cash just begging to be stolen, the opportunity is too good to pass up. Problem is he can’t do it alone, so he ropes in a couple of low rent potheads, kicking off a whole bunch of trouble.
Can Nuke, a gangster with an explosive temper and marital difficulties, sort out the mess? All while balancing his psychotic bosses, some dodgy cops, his bored wife and of course Jonathan, the man with the plan?
SCAM is an exciting romp full of dumb criminals, harebrained schemes, formidable femme fatales and even a sweet love story, all told with a distinctly Australian sensibility.
You'll love this gritty crime thriller because the twists and turns will keep you guessing (and laughing) until the very last second.
Get it today.
Best to know what you're stealing and who you're stealing from.
When wannabe criminal Jonathan hears about a life-changing amount of unprotected cash just begging to be stolen, the opportunity is too good to pass up. Problem is he can’t do it alone, so he ropes in a couple of low rent potheads, kicking off a whole bunch of trouble.
Can Nuke, a gangster with an explosive temper and marital difficulties, sort out the mess? All while balancing his psychotic bosses, some dodgy cops, his bored wife and of course Jonathan, the man with the plan?
SCAM is an exciting romp full of dumb criminals, harebrained schemes, formidable femme fatales and even a sweet love story, all told with a distinctly Australian sensibility.
You'll love this gritty crime thriller because the twists and turns will keep you guessing (and laughing) until the very last second.
Get it today.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 29, 2019
198 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Jack Stroke
19 books19 followersYou're a smart person. Do you really want to read the same thing again and again and again? A copy of a copy of a copy?
Looking for something fresh and original and extremely funny instead? Try one of my books.
Looking for something fresh and original and extremely funny instead? Try one of my books.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 18, 2019
( Format : Audiobook )
"Look for angles, take a chance."
With the vibrancy of a Quentin Tarantino film, this story concentrates on characters, small groups or couples in conversation , moving through them in a seemingly unconnected manner, each of the story parts with their own time lines, until all finally come together. It is, at times, hilariously funny, especially the sections dealing with two serious stoners, Steve-o and his slightly more reasonable pal, Dax. It is also sometimes violent with sudden (and not so sudden) deaths but actual torture of the occasional victim is more in the mind of the reader than spelled out in the text.
Sent in Melbourne, Australia, these are low life wannabes for the most part, rather than true gangsters, so pretty well ensured to mess things up. And, of course, they do. Great natural dialogue (remember - Australian!) and well defined characterisations so that even the quick to rage psychotic killed Nuke had gained this reader's empathy by the end. Narration by Caleb Dust was excellent, the protagonists each given distinctive, separate voicing and the text between the conversations clear and expressive. A fine lerformance. Just in case anyone might be uncertain about any Aussie words used, there is a glossary at the beginning of the story, though, at least for this Brit, most were already known or self evident anyway.
My thanks to the rights holder of Scam, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Much appreciated. Jack Stroke is an author previously unknown to me, but I fully intend to find out more. Definitely recommended to all who enjoy quirky crime capers and Tarantino films. Good fun.
"Look for angles, take a chance."
With the vibrancy of a Quentin Tarantino film, this story concentrates on characters, small groups or couples in conversation , moving through them in a seemingly unconnected manner, each of the story parts with their own time lines, until all finally come together. It is, at times, hilariously funny, especially the sections dealing with two serious stoners, Steve-o and his slightly more reasonable pal, Dax. It is also sometimes violent with sudden (and not so sudden) deaths but actual torture of the occasional victim is more in the mind of the reader than spelled out in the text.
Sent in Melbourne, Australia, these are low life wannabes for the most part, rather than true gangsters, so pretty well ensured to mess things up. And, of course, they do. Great natural dialogue (remember - Australian!) and well defined characterisations so that even the quick to rage psychotic killed Nuke had gained this reader's empathy by the end. Narration by Caleb Dust was excellent, the protagonists each given distinctive, separate voicing and the text between the conversations clear and expressive. A fine lerformance. Just in case anyone might be uncertain about any Aussie words used, there is a glossary at the beginning of the story, though, at least for this Brit, most were already known or self evident anyway.
My thanks to the rights holder of Scam, who, at my request, freely gifted me with a complimentary copy, via Audiobook Boom. Much appreciated. Jack Stroke is an author previously unknown to me, but I fully intend to find out more. Definitely recommended to all who enjoy quirky crime capers and Tarantino films. Good fun.
August 8, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Hidden Gems, and this is an honest and voluntary review.
First things first. As the introduction and glossary at the start of the book informs the reader, this is a book written in Australian English. It is also a story about low-life suburbia would-be gangsters and, as a result, there is an appropriate amount of swearing. I have lived in Australia for 50+ years and didn't really need explanation but, if you are unfamiliar with the language, then I suggest you do read this section.
I won't go into the story because the blurb and other reviewers have done that. What I will say is that this is a funny book that interweaves a number of characters and their own stories into one big story of individuals trying to scam each other. I found the characters well described and the story ran smoothly even with the many twists and turns.
Highly recommend.
First things first. As the introduction and glossary at the start of the book informs the reader, this is a book written in Australian English. It is also a story about low-life suburbia would-be gangsters and, as a result, there is an appropriate amount of swearing. I have lived in Australia for 50+ years and didn't really need explanation but, if you are unfamiliar with the language, then I suggest you do read this section.
I won't go into the story because the blurb and other reviewers have done that. What I will say is that this is a funny book that interweaves a number of characters and their own stories into one big story of individuals trying to scam each other. I found the characters well described and the story ran smoothly even with the many twists and turns.
Highly recommend.
November 3, 2019
Scam is a surprising read: It begins with one boneheaded crime ineptly pulled off by amateur thieves and balloons into a full-grown conspiracy involving a syndicate boss's wife and her two-timing girlfriend, actors playing cops and a blood-thirsty brother and sister drug cartel - among other features. The caper is clever and free-wheeling enough to keep the reader riveted as it makes frequent whiplash turns and sucks in more and more characters - all of whom manage to be sympathetic and human in some oddball fashion. The author has a deft command of the salient detail and an ear for conversation that rings as authentic as his plotting. "It's just life," one character says of his own and others' unseemly machinations, "you're either playing someone or you're being played." Stroke plays this game well.
March 5, 2020
Twists and turns keep you glued to this dark comedy, told from the point of view of different characters as the book progresses. You can hear the Australian accent in your head as you rocket through this book to find out what else could possibly happen. Don't be discouraged the the beginning, once everything comes together you will be so glad you stayed with this book. GREAT story and well-developed characters make this a story that is anything but what it appears to be! There is a glossary in the front for those (like me) who don't know all the slang but that wasn't a detractor at all. Get this book you won't be sorry! A received a complimentary copy of this book and am leaving my honest review!
September 11, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
This is a crime caper told from multiple points of view. I listened to this book and I got a bit lost as the viewpoints changed, frequently taking me out of the story. Also, the characters use Australian slang - and although a glossary is provided at the beginning of the book, it's a bit difficult to reference the glossary if you're listening to the book. There are some very funny scenes or quips by some of the characters which I really enjoyed. For me, I think my experience would have been better had I read the book and not listened to it.
This is a crime caper told from multiple points of view. I listened to this book and I got a bit lost as the viewpoints changed, frequently taking me out of the story. Also, the characters use Australian slang - and although a glossary is provided at the beginning of the book, it's a bit difficult to reference the glossary if you're listening to the book. There are some very funny scenes or quips by some of the characters which I really enjoyed. For me, I think my experience would have been better had I read the book and not listened to it.
April 7, 2022
Absolutely amazing book! I couldn't put it down. Being an independently published work, there are some editing mistakes that happen here and there. I'm usually a grammar freak and lose my interest quickly at the sight of a single typo. Despite the hand full I ran across in this book, I still couldn't put it down - and that's the part that impressed me the most. It's incredibly well thought out, the story is built from multiple perspectives and it leaves you constantly thinking and guessing. I highly recommend, and I think I've found a new favourite author.
July 18, 2019
A nice little fun crime caper. Despite the author worrying about some of the Aussie lingo used I'm from the UK and it was all pretty obvious what the langue meant. A good look at all the main characters and a few little twists.
Well worth a read.
Well worth a read.
August 20, 2019
This book reminds me of “Snatch” a 2000 Bratt Pitt movie. I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked how the author told the tale from each individuals perspective and tied it all together cohesively.
January 7, 2021
Stick with it.
For me, this book started off a little all over the place. I almost put it down. However, I stuck with it and I am glad that I did. I love how the story ended up coming all together. I was actually looking for a sequel.
For me, this book started off a little all over the place. I almost put it down. However, I stuck with it and I am glad that I did. I love how the story ended up coming all together. I was actually looking for a sequel.
June 30, 2019
Enjoyable
Once the story started connecting the dots I could not put it down. The glossary was a big help and amusing as well.
Once the story started connecting the dots I could not put it down. The glossary was a big help and amusing as well.
August 10, 2020
This was great. The story was fun and engaging. I highly recommend reading this.
May 28, 2022
I enjoyed this very much, but I wish I knew what happened to all the characters. The ones who lived, anyway...
October 11, 2022
Fast paced and lots of action
So many crazy characters and twists throughout the book that it keeps the reader engaged all the time. It's hard to put down.
So many crazy characters and twists throughout the book that it keeps the reader engaged all the time. It's hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews