What do you think?
Rate this book
Empty Luck
Four young men go to Las Vegas in the 1980s. What could possibly go wrong?
Footloose in the bright casinos and cold nights of Las Vegas, two brothers and their two friends find more than they ever imagined during a one-week vacation. In the risky pursuit of easy sex, money and thrills, one of them, an inveterate gambler and petty criminal, impulsively steals money from the wrong man. Another thinks he wins at everything but only later realizes what he may have lost.
And Jared Appleton, from Backalenick's previous novels, must once again struggle with challenges he may not overcome. Las Vegas, in all its seamy beauty, is the surreal world in which the men find themselves as they seek the truth amid dazzling lights and lurid temptations.
Footloose in the bright casinos and cold nights of Las Vegas, two brothers and their two friends find more than they ever imagined during a one-week vacation. In the risky pursuit of easy sex, money and thrills, one of them, an inveterate gambler and petty criminal, impulsively steals money from the wrong man. Another thinks he wins at everything but only later realizes what he may have lost.
And Jared Appleton, from Backalenick's previous novels, must once again struggle with challenges he may not overcome. Las Vegas, in all its seamy beauty, is the surreal world in which the men find themselves as they seek the truth amid dazzling lights and lurid temptations.
385 pages, Paperback
First published August 17, 2023
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Paul Backalenick
4 books7 followersI am the author three novels, currently working on a fourth.
My current project is set in 19th century Ukraine. It is a fictionalized tale of my father’s ancestors. In 1893, his father immigrated to the United States at age eight with my great-grandmother. But this is the story of what it was like back there, in Ukraine, before they left. The book will explore the historical realities of that time and place. It is a tale of a Jewish family in a land that no longer wanted them.
My three earlier books are all tales of psychological suspense. They include families and individuals in peril, usually as a result of the choices they have made. Together, these three novels comprise my “Twisted Roads Series.” We all travel many roads through life. Some roads lead us straight to worthy destinations. Others roads bring us pain and guilt. We don't always know which road we are on ahead of time, or even as we travel down it. When some of my characters discover they are on dangerous roads, knowing doesn’t necessarily change their direction. Are they hell-bent on self-destruction or blinded by greed or lust? Some characters choose crime even with its attendant risks. Others struggle with addictions or follow a path someone else has laid out for them. Throughout this series, bad choices abound, moral decisions arise, and consequences result.
The real question is why do people make bad decisions? What twisted logic leads any of us to choose a bad road or stay on one once we recognize it is wrong? Is it out of convenience, familiarity, hope, or misguided loyalty? Certainly psychological factors such as family dynamics come into play and I explore these connections.
The last in the series is EMPTY LUCK. In this story, a greedy man and his naive younger brother contend with a dangerous Mafia captain, from whom the older brother secretly stole money. The book raises questions of moral ambiguity. For example, is it ever right to steal from someone who shows no regard for your life, who is willing to have you die to benefit his own selfish interests? Is falling for a prostitute a sin for a Catholic boy? And does addiction excuse harming those who love you?
My earlier novel, CARRIE'S SECRET, was praised by Kirkus Reviews as a “riveting, addictive story,” in which a teenage psychiatric patient bears a terrible secret. Her fear of revealing it may destroy her family and send the wrong man to prison for life. It is at times a dark tale, but ultimately it is an uplifting story of human strength and survival.
The first novel in the series, DEVELOPMENT, follows a dysfunctional suburban family as the father tries to pull off a risky real estate deal and the mother over-manages her young daughter’s modeling career.
Regarding my background, I majored in Psychology at Brown University and then worked in psychiatric facilities, information technology strategy consulting, and lastly, Internet entrepreneurship. I have been writing novels since 2013.
Born and raised in New England, I live now in New York City with my wife, artist Karen Loew.
My current project is set in 19th century Ukraine. It is a fictionalized tale of my father’s ancestors. In 1893, his father immigrated to the United States at age eight with my great-grandmother. But this is the story of what it was like back there, in Ukraine, before they left. The book will explore the historical realities of that time and place. It is a tale of a Jewish family in a land that no longer wanted them.
My three earlier books are all tales of psychological suspense. They include families and individuals in peril, usually as a result of the choices they have made. Together, these three novels comprise my “Twisted Roads Series.” We all travel many roads through life. Some roads lead us straight to worthy destinations. Others roads bring us pain and guilt. We don't always know which road we are on ahead of time, or even as we travel down it. When some of my characters discover they are on dangerous roads, knowing doesn’t necessarily change their direction. Are they hell-bent on self-destruction or blinded by greed or lust? Some characters choose crime even with its attendant risks. Others struggle with addictions or follow a path someone else has laid out for them. Throughout this series, bad choices abound, moral decisions arise, and consequences result.
The real question is why do people make bad decisions? What twisted logic leads any of us to choose a bad road or stay on one once we recognize it is wrong? Is it out of convenience, familiarity, hope, or misguided loyalty? Certainly psychological factors such as family dynamics come into play and I explore these connections.
The last in the series is EMPTY LUCK. In this story, a greedy man and his naive younger brother contend with a dangerous Mafia captain, from whom the older brother secretly stole money. The book raises questions of moral ambiguity. For example, is it ever right to steal from someone who shows no regard for your life, who is willing to have you die to benefit his own selfish interests? Is falling for a prostitute a sin for a Catholic boy? And does addiction excuse harming those who love you?
My earlier novel, CARRIE'S SECRET, was praised by Kirkus Reviews as a “riveting, addictive story,” in which a teenage psychiatric patient bears a terrible secret. Her fear of revealing it may destroy her family and send the wrong man to prison for life. It is at times a dark tale, but ultimately it is an uplifting story of human strength and survival.
The first novel in the series, DEVELOPMENT, follows a dysfunctional suburban family as the father tries to pull off a risky real estate deal and the mother over-manages her young daughter’s modeling career.
Regarding my background, I majored in Psychology at Brown University and then worked in psychiatric facilities, information technology strategy consulting, and lastly, Internet entrepreneurship. I have been writing novels since 2013.
Born and raised in New England, I live now in New York City with my wife, artist Karen Loew.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 11, 2025
Paul Backalenick writes a gripping, thrilling tale
In Empty Luck, the reader is drawn into the lives of four young men, including two brothers. The older brother, Tommy, harbors jealousy towards his younger sibling, Ricky. This book is the third volume in the Twisted Road series. Having read the previous two books, which were spaced apart, I found it necessary to revisit them to fully immerse myself back into the series, and it was worth it. The group's trip to Vegas is intended to indulge in all the city has to offer, from easy money to casual encounters, or so they believe. However, the saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas doesn't hold true for them. With criminals pursuing them with sinister motives, the danger escalates among the four men. Jared and Eric also have their own vices, adding to the tension and showcasing the fragile dynamics of brotherhood and friendship. Backalenick crafts a gripping narrative filled with plot twists involving greed, betrayal, and addiction. Jealousy and greed emerge as powerful forces driving the characters towards potential ruin. Each scene is richly detailed, and the story brims with action. This is a tale that compels you to keep reading, delving deep into the themes of loyalty and brotherhood, set against the backdrop of behaviors that even Vegas finds extreme. Empty Luck is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
In Empty Luck, the reader is drawn into the lives of four young men, including two brothers. The older brother, Tommy, harbors jealousy towards his younger sibling, Ricky. This book is the third volume in the Twisted Road series. Having read the previous two books, which were spaced apart, I found it necessary to revisit them to fully immerse myself back into the series, and it was worth it. The group's trip to Vegas is intended to indulge in all the city has to offer, from easy money to casual encounters, or so they believe. However, the saying what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas doesn't hold true for them. With criminals pursuing them with sinister motives, the danger escalates among the four men. Jared and Eric also have their own vices, adding to the tension and showcasing the fragile dynamics of brotherhood and friendship. Backalenick crafts a gripping narrative filled with plot twists involving greed, betrayal, and addiction. Jealousy and greed emerge as powerful forces driving the characters towards potential ruin. Each scene is richly detailed, and the story brims with action. This is a tale that compels you to keep reading, delving deep into the themes of loyalty and brotherhood, set against the backdrop of behaviors that even Vegas finds extreme. Empty Luck is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book also write a review.
April 3, 2025
Empty Luck is a gripping, fast-paced thriller that explores the dark side of desire, envy, and reckless ambition. Set against the neon-lit chaos of Las Vegas and the gritty streets of Boston, the novel follows two brothers and their friends as they spiral into a dangerous game of deception, addiction, and survival.
Backalenick does a masterful job of delving into the psychology of his characters. The contrast between the selfish, envious older brother and his naïve younger sibling adds an undercurrent of tension that only builds as their Vegas escapade takes a sinister turn. Their pursuit of easy money and pleasure leads them straight into the city’s underbelly, where luck quickly runs out. But the real danger isn’t just the menacing figure chasing them—it’s the cracks forming in their own relationships, fueled by greed, arrogance, and vice.
The novel’s relentless pace keeps you turning the pages, with each twist tightening the noose around the characters. The moral dilemmas they face—pitting loyalty against self-interest—make for an intense psychological drama. The writing is sharp, immersive, and unflinching in its portrayal of addiction and consequence.
If you enjoy thrillers that mix crime, psychological tension, and flawed but compelling characters, Empty Luck is well worth the read. Highly recommended for fans of high-stakes suspense with a dark, introspective edge.
Backalenick does a masterful job of delving into the psychology of his characters. The contrast between the selfish, envious older brother and his naïve younger sibling adds an undercurrent of tension that only builds as their Vegas escapade takes a sinister turn. Their pursuit of easy money and pleasure leads them straight into the city’s underbelly, where luck quickly runs out. But the real danger isn’t just the menacing figure chasing them—it’s the cracks forming in their own relationships, fueled by greed, arrogance, and vice.
The novel’s relentless pace keeps you turning the pages, with each twist tightening the noose around the characters. The moral dilemmas they face—pitting loyalty against self-interest—make for an intense psychological drama. The writing is sharp, immersive, and unflinching in its portrayal of addiction and consequence.
If you enjoy thrillers that mix crime, psychological tension, and flawed but compelling characters, Empty Luck is well worth the read. Highly recommended for fans of high-stakes suspense with a dark, introspective edge.
May 7, 2025
A gripping moral crucible each character’s choices, driven by an ever-shifting sense of right and wrong, build relentless tension toward a powerful, unforgettable climax.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews