The Ortega Gambit: A classic crime thriller

by J. Palma

For unemployed Lucina D’Alessio, life in rural Italy is hopeless. When a mysterious opportunity comes her way, her future suddenly seems brighter. Offered a job as a nanny, she doesn’t hesitate at the chance – even though the job is in America, she’s never worked as a nanny before, and she hates kids.

In her new American home, Lucina is surrounded by luxury and wealth. But she soon uncovers an elaborate kidnapping plot targeting Charles, the child under her care. As she learns the details of the plot, she’s stunned to find her employment was part of the ruse, devised in the darkest part of her homeland. Her dislike for children is the least of her problems as she tries to find a way to survive in a strange new land while protecting Charles, whom she has grown to love.

A fast-paced thriller, The Ortega Gambit takes readers on a wild ride from Italian mafia clan wars to cutthroat power struggles of the super-rich. Beautiful and tough-as-nails, Lucina is a heroine worthy of her opponents. But are her innate street smarts enough to topple the powerful forces against her?

296 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2019

Reviews

[Myreadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Puch Press LLC and the Netgalley website for allowing me to read this book.

I was immediately drawn to the pretty cover of the book which shows Lucina holding a child's hand with both hands behind her back.

The story takes place in Italy where Lucina is unemployed until an opportunity arises. She is offered a job as a nanny, she jumps at the opportunity even though it is in America except that she has never been a nanny and she doesn't like children too much.

In her home Lucina feels well surrounded by luxury and wealth. Except that she will discover that there is a conspiracy against the child in her care, Charles. Learning the details of the conspiracy she finds out that her job was part of the plot. She will have to protect Charles, to whom she is attached.

A book read in one go, so much so that I hung on to the story, so moving at certain passages, captivating, addictive, full of suspense and twists and turns with endearing characters.

[Eric Cousineau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written and gritty noir tale of betrayal and vengeance. This action filled, suspenseful edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. It has an interesting premise and well-developed, and sometimes stereotypical characters. The protagonist, Lucina D’Alessio, who grew up in a Mafia controlled town in Italy, is an unknowing and unwilling pawn in a brutal plot by a flawed and super rich family in America. She is an attractive and not over-done heroine who despises the Mafia and who tries to escape her family, country and fate. Fueled by anger and a sense of right, she achieves some degree of success by the end of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jonathan Finch · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ortega Gambit J. Palma’s First But Not Last Thriller With More
This is a fast-action, fast-paced, page-turning thriller with an attractive and not over-done heroine who despises the Mafia and who tries to escape her family, country and fate. She achieves some degree of success by the end of the story. No superheroic, gun-slinging lady, she comes across as deprived, furious and very human – a nice change from the usual. Other writers should pay attention. Yes, it’s great once or twice to meet ruthless “heroes” (read murderers) who escape death at least seventy-five thousand times in two minutes but even the most avid reader of the genre might have his or her credulity stretched to breaking point!
Mr. Palma’s novel is not only well written and pacey but the errors are few and far between. I don’t love it (five stars) but I like it enough to give it not four but five!

[Christian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full disclosure - the writer is an old friend from college. J. Palma encouraged me to read Clockwork Orange and some other classics while at UGA.

I did enjoy the book- I found myself drawn to the characters of Lucia and Charles. Certainly this isn't in my normal genre but I am a free range reader - open to most types of literature. It was nice to meet some new characters and have an enjoyable read during the CV-19 pandemic. The action was solid - a page turner that kept me coming back for me. I was thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading. I thought the writing was solid and deliberate. I recommend the book - check it out.

[T Olsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well written and entertaining book, filled with action. The characters are great, and the plot is simple, but good. There's some unnecessary repetition, but all in all a good book.

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action in a fast-paced novel keeps the reader engaged. Characters a bit stereotypical, but that just helps keep the plot moving. I received an advanced digital copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.