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The Player Without Luck
When Silvija found a dead body in the casino, it looked like an accident. Did it involve the work of hitman? A man who knew a dirty secret from her past blackmailed her. She had a motive for the murder because a ruined reputation could cause her to lose her job and husband. Her affair with a security guard, Ivan, will complicate things further. She wanted to be safe, but Ivan was involved deeper than she thought.
113 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2020
4 people are currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Kristina Gallo
32 books133 followersI am a Croatian multi genre indie author.
Adrenaline stories, mysteries and thrillers are my favorite.
If you are a fan of series, I recommend my mystery drama book The Seller of Sins.
Since 2024 I am collaborating with Red Cape Publishing.
My horor thriller " A dream about White Rabbit" got an audio version.
Adrenaline stories, mysteries and thrillers are my favorite.
If you are a fan of series, I recommend my mystery drama book The Seller of Sins.
Since 2024 I am collaborating with Red Cape Publishing.
My horor thriller " A dream about White Rabbit" got an audio version.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 8, 2020
Gambling. Love. Betrayal. Drinking. Drugs. Murder. This short story / novella contains it all... and it's cleverly set in Europe. The Player Without Luck is the second novel I've read by author Kristina Gallo, and it's clear she can create a wonderful level of tension and drama in her plots and characters. In this case, betrayal is the key word, and what you see isn't always what exists in reality.
Silvija just wants to gamble. She doesn't need to be hit on. She would prefer people stop asking her for help. Just let her play the slots or tables. When someone's at a machine for too long, and she wants to use it, she tries to get him to leave... only to learn he's dead! As the pages unfold, he didn't just have a heart attack. The man was murdered. How did this happen in the middle of the casino without anyone seeing it? The story swaps points of view so we can understand the history of the man's life, Silvija's last few days, the security team's interest and disinterest in certain people, and a few other important characters. As you read the tale, you know there's something missing, but it's intentionally vague and keeps you guessing.
I like the way Gallo reveals the plot and actions of the key players here. Luck is definitely important, but knowing what you can get away with is even more important. Looking forward to seeing more from this author... especially knowing she's writing in English, which is a second language to her... there's a lovely Eastern European tone and sense of personality in the characters, and I enjoy reading books from around the world. A good one to chance at 75 pages, and you might just find a new author you want to keep reading more from!
Silvija just wants to gamble. She doesn't need to be hit on. She would prefer people stop asking her for help. Just let her play the slots or tables. When someone's at a machine for too long, and she wants to use it, she tries to get him to leave... only to learn he's dead! As the pages unfold, he didn't just have a heart attack. The man was murdered. How did this happen in the middle of the casino without anyone seeing it? The story swaps points of view so we can understand the history of the man's life, Silvija's last few days, the security team's interest and disinterest in certain people, and a few other important characters. As you read the tale, you know there's something missing, but it's intentionally vague and keeps you guessing.
I like the way Gallo reveals the plot and actions of the key players here. Luck is definitely important, but knowing what you can get away with is even more important. Looking forward to seeing more from this author... especially knowing she's writing in English, which is a second language to her... there's a lovely Eastern European tone and sense of personality in the characters, and I enjoy reading books from around the world. A good one to chance at 75 pages, and you might just find a new author you want to keep reading more from!
July 25, 2020
My rating 4.1
The short mystery story "The Player Without Luck" by Kristina Gallo is an interesting step for a writer into the world of crime stories. I have to admit that the story is quite interesting and that with the writing of this short story Kristina started a new sphere of her writing. So far, I’ve read most of the stories she’s written and I like that she’s embarked on a new genre. The story follows Silvija, who is obsessed with gambling, but when she finds a dead man in the casino, a tangle of events that led to the murder begins to unravel. Silvija's past will slowly emerge from the dark depths like a shark because nothing is accidental in that murder.
I hope that the writer will continue with stories like this because Kristina easily manages in this genre. I would recommend the book to fans of short mysteries and crime stories.
The short mystery story "The Player Without Luck" by Kristina Gallo is an interesting step for a writer into the world of crime stories. I have to admit that the story is quite interesting and that with the writing of this short story Kristina started a new sphere of her writing. So far, I’ve read most of the stories she’s written and I like that she’s embarked on a new genre. The story follows Silvija, who is obsessed with gambling, but when she finds a dead man in the casino, a tangle of events that led to the murder begins to unravel. Silvija's past will slowly emerge from the dark depths like a shark because nothing is accidental in that murder.
I hope that the writer will continue with stories like this because Kristina easily manages in this genre. I would recommend the book to fans of short mysteries and crime stories.
October 1, 2025
I didn't have a great experience here. I know that Kristina Gallo shared that English is not her first language, so I tried very hard to look past it. But there were confusing typos (Silvia vs Silvija), formatting issues, strangely worded passages ("Their meetings were brief, but Marko had an orgasm every time" and "When he saw a blonde girl with blue eyes and pale skin, it would excite him, and he would wank until he orgasmed."), and a lot of flow and pacing issues, too. And none of the characters had any sort of personality or proper characterization. They were just pushed along to meet the plot points a certain way, but that was it. Lots of distractions to an otherwise interesting premise, but too many barriers to get through to enjoy any part of this. Again, understanding the potential language barrier, I awarded an additional star.
February 7, 2021
Silvija Leko is a columnist who has an addiction - gambling. She also has a past that she desperately wants to forget and hide from her husband Alen.
When she found the dead body in the casino, it seemed like an accident.She thought nothing would reveal her connection to the victim, she was obviously mistaken.
The truth was slowly coming to light, and with it Sylvia's past.
The player without luck is great book.I like this author’s books because the stories bring a lot of tension and excitement.
When she found the dead body in the casino, it seemed like an accident.She thought nothing would reveal her connection to the victim, she was obviously mistaken.
The truth was slowly coming to light, and with it Sylvia's past.
The player without luck is great book.I like this author’s books because the stories bring a lot of tension and excitement.
August 15, 2020
An ok read.
This is a short story by Kristina Gallo..The characters were well placed, and the storyline good, even if it did seem condensed in parts. A murder at a Casino sets of a chain of events that finds the truth can never be hidden. Can this, rekindle love or destroy it ?
This is a short story by Kristina Gallo..The characters were well placed, and the storyline good, even if it did seem condensed in parts. A murder at a Casino sets of a chain of events that finds the truth can never be hidden. Can this, rekindle love or destroy it ?
July 19, 2020
Kristina Gallo has done it again!! The Player Without Luck is a great book. The author paints a vivid picture of the seedy world of gambling, sex and underhand dealings. Silvija, a young married woman finds a dead male tramp in a casino. It turns out he was poisoned with anti freeze and there's a knife wound in his thigh. Does SIlvija know the deceased man and is she secretly leading a double life to escape her unhappy marriage? The Player Without Luck will have you turning the page to find out what happens next...
August 3, 2020
This is not the first book I’ve read by Kristina Gallo, and I am glad to see she is not afraid to explore and write in various genres. Her latest short read, The Player Without Luck, starts with Silvija, a passionate gambler, finding a dead body in the casino in the Croatian capital. If that is not intriguing enough, maybe dirty secrets, blackmails, and affairs, will be a push enough for you to get this book and join me in reading Kristina in her new role of a mystery, suspense, and thriller author.
June 9, 2020
The Player Without Luck is a beautifully written modern thriller with a hint of mystery that is full of twists and turns. Just when you think that you have it all figured out, you are taken for a ride with a cast of characters where no one is who they appear to be and cannot be trusted.
I was instantly drawn in from the first page of this book wanting to solve the mystery of what happened to this man. The author does an amazing job slowly introducing us to the main characters one by one and making the reader feel attached. There was one character in particular that I was drawn to but once a sudden revelation was made, I knew something was up but still had a few more puzzle pieces to put together. Once it all played out in a dramatic ending, the story takes a turn filled with tense action that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
I highly applaud this author for diving into the thriller genre. This book is the exact recipe of what any good thriller should aim to be. Not once did I get bored and it was so good, I finished the book in only two sittings (it would have been one if I hadn’t gotten interrupted!) You will find yourself deep within the mystery while trying to figure out who you can trust and at what cost. If you are a fan of thrillers, you owe it to yourself to read The Player Without Luck, a book that is sure to be talked about for years to come!
I was instantly drawn in from the first page of this book wanting to solve the mystery of what happened to this man. The author does an amazing job slowly introducing us to the main characters one by one and making the reader feel attached. There was one character in particular that I was drawn to but once a sudden revelation was made, I knew something was up but still had a few more puzzle pieces to put together. Once it all played out in a dramatic ending, the story takes a turn filled with tense action that will leave you on the edge of your seat.
I highly applaud this author for diving into the thriller genre. This book is the exact recipe of what any good thriller should aim to be. Not once did I get bored and it was so good, I finished the book in only two sittings (it would have been one if I hadn’t gotten interrupted!) You will find yourself deep within the mystery while trying to figure out who you can trust and at what cost. If you are a fan of thrillers, you owe it to yourself to read The Player Without Luck, a book that is sure to be talked about for years to come!
August 6, 2020
A thrilling page turning story that will keep you immersed from the start….
English isn’t Kristina Gallo’s native language but that is certainly no disadvantage as she tells an immersive dramatic tale of the unexpected that grabs you from the start.
We’re thrown into the seedy world of gambling where main character ‘Silvija’ loves to spend her time and money. With her focus on trying to win she suddenly discovers a body and that’s when the journey of twists, turns and a sinister history begins. To the police she might just be that ‘blonde chick’ but soon enough the revelations come and she just happens to be linked.
Those revelations intertwine through a story that switches back and forth in time with a pacy page turning style and for a shorter read the author manages to include multiple themes from mystery, thriller, tension, deception and even with some erotic tones. There’s a lot going on in a short space of time giving readers a sense of urgency to read it all the way through because as soon as you start this book, you’ll want to read the whole thing.
English isn’t Kristina Gallo’s native language but that is certainly no disadvantage as she tells an immersive dramatic tale of the unexpected that grabs you from the start.
We’re thrown into the seedy world of gambling where main character ‘Silvija’ loves to spend her time and money. With her focus on trying to win she suddenly discovers a body and that’s when the journey of twists, turns and a sinister history begins. To the police she might just be that ‘blonde chick’ but soon enough the revelations come and she just happens to be linked.
Those revelations intertwine through a story that switches back and forth in time with a pacy page turning style and for a shorter read the author manages to include multiple themes from mystery, thriller, tension, deception and even with some erotic tones. There’s a lot going on in a short space of time giving readers a sense of urgency to read it all the way through because as soon as you start this book, you’ll want to read the whole thing.
June 21, 2021
Another thrilling story from Gallo
Kristina Gallo has a unique writing style and voice, her stories are always enjoyable and taught and this is no different.
Kristina Gallo has a unique writing style and voice, her stories are always enjoyable and taught and this is no different.
December 12, 2022
From love to murder and a few more vices to boot! This novella is intriguing and packs a wallop in a few pages. Well done! Highly recommend!
August 6, 2020
A tangled thriller with an unexpected end.
This is quite a tangled little thriller. We have Silvija, an addicted slots gambler with a sordid past as a webcam sex player. Marko, one of her online clients who had spent thousands on Silvija to watch her sex shows, finally discovers her real identity, and is prepared to blackmail her. Silvija is in a dull marriage, almost one of convenience, and finds a thrill with Ivan, the handsome security guard, who lusts after her.
Silvija decides to hire a “professional” to get rid of Marko and thus protect her marriage and reputation.
Silvija finds Marko, dead, on a stool at one of the slot machines at the casino. Thus begins the search for the murderer and it comes to a crashing end with Silvija the sole survivor of this tangled web of lies, deceit, sex, blackmail and murder.
It appears that finally, Silvija, the Player, did indeed find the luck she badly needed to get her life back on the right track.
A great short read that deserves five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for a bullet fast read that gives the thrill the reader requires.
This is quite a tangled little thriller. We have Silvija, an addicted slots gambler with a sordid past as a webcam sex player. Marko, one of her online clients who had spent thousands on Silvija to watch her sex shows, finally discovers her real identity, and is prepared to blackmail her. Silvija is in a dull marriage, almost one of convenience, and finds a thrill with Ivan, the handsome security guard, who lusts after her.
Silvija decides to hire a “professional” to get rid of Marko and thus protect her marriage and reputation.
Silvija finds Marko, dead, on a stool at one of the slot machines at the casino. Thus begins the search for the murderer and it comes to a crashing end with Silvija the sole survivor of this tangled web of lies, deceit, sex, blackmail and murder.
It appears that finally, Silvija, the Player, did indeed find the luck she badly needed to get her life back on the right track.
A great short read that deserves five ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars for a bullet fast read that gives the thrill the reader requires.
September 15, 2020
Once again Kristina Gallo brings a whirlwind of intriguing characters and keeps up the pace throughout the story. You can't help but want to know what happens next and how the main character will beat the odds.
February 2, 2022
Strong Finish
4.5stars for me.
Another sweet short story from Kristina, I like the style that she uses to write, emotions and feelings are written into scenes quite well. This one did seem to tail off in the middle, but the engine revved again to finish on a strong note.
4.5stars for me.
Another sweet short story from Kristina, I like the style that she uses to write, emotions and feelings are written into scenes quite well. This one did seem to tail off in the middle, but the engine revved again to finish on a strong note.
September 22, 2021
Not my culture
I did have some issues with relating to the culture of the story, but over all found it intriguing and easy to follow. An enjoyable read.
I did have some issues with relating to the culture of the story, but over all found it intriguing and easy to follow. An enjoyable read.
June 9, 2020
🎲BOOK REVIEW / “The Player Without Luck”/ Kristina Gallo🎯
___
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 68
Language: English
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: 2020
_____
🎲Reading this book was like being trapped into a circle of the burning hoops. The only way to escape is to jump through all of them.
_____
🎯The Plot: Silvija Leko is the columnist who has an addiction – gambling. Moreover, she has a past that she desperately wants to forget and to hide from her husband Alen. One day her past emerges from the darkness and tries to spoil her life. Having found a dead body in a casino, Silvija tries to disentangle a knot of the mess. Meanwhile, she drowns into a whirlpool of adversities instead. Ivan, the security guard, who might have seemed to be a beam of sunshine in the nightfall, appears to be the beast with a handsome face. The stakes are getting high, and the main prize is Silvija and her life.
____
🎲The Writing Style: The writing style of the debut thriller of Kristina Gallo appeared to be rapid-paced, full of intense twists, mysterious riddles, and a swirl of dynamic events. This smart thriller can be related to a one-sitting reading. It keeps you in suspense from cover to cover.
_____
🎯The Characters: There are not so many main characters and sub-characters. The author managed to depict their appearance and nature with a high hand, having structured them correctly in the plot of the intense thriller.
____
🎲My Favorite Quote: I have none in this book, as all my attention was grabbed by how things unfolded.
____
🎯Would I read other books by this author: Absolutely yes!
_____
🎲My humble rating is: 5/5
____
#writerslife #AmReading #bookreview #ThePlayerWithoutLuck #KristinaGallo #bookishlovegroup #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #betterreadschallenge
___
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 68
Language: English
Publisher: Self-published
Release date: 2020
_____
🎲Reading this book was like being trapped into a circle of the burning hoops. The only way to escape is to jump through all of them.
_____
🎯The Plot: Silvija Leko is the columnist who has an addiction – gambling. Moreover, she has a past that she desperately wants to forget and to hide from her husband Alen. One day her past emerges from the darkness and tries to spoil her life. Having found a dead body in a casino, Silvija tries to disentangle a knot of the mess. Meanwhile, she drowns into a whirlpool of adversities instead. Ivan, the security guard, who might have seemed to be a beam of sunshine in the nightfall, appears to be the beast with a handsome face. The stakes are getting high, and the main prize is Silvija and her life.
____
🎲The Writing Style: The writing style of the debut thriller of Kristina Gallo appeared to be rapid-paced, full of intense twists, mysterious riddles, and a swirl of dynamic events. This smart thriller can be related to a one-sitting reading. It keeps you in suspense from cover to cover.
_____
🎯The Characters: There are not so many main characters and sub-characters. The author managed to depict their appearance and nature with a high hand, having structured them correctly in the plot of the intense thriller.
____
🎲My Favorite Quote: I have none in this book, as all my attention was grabbed by how things unfolded.
____
🎯Would I read other books by this author: Absolutely yes!
_____
🎲My humble rating is: 5/5
____
#writerslife #AmReading #bookreview #ThePlayerWithoutLuck #KristinaGallo #bookishlovegroup #unitedbookstagram #bookstagram #betterreadschallenge
January 8, 2022
Kristina Gallo’s thriller has twists in both narrative & time to keep you on edge. When Silvjia comes across a dead gambler in a casino, her secret past & alliances are dragged to the surface. Although I suspect English is not Gallo’s first language (there are a few missing words & different turns of phrase), the author’s grip on the mechanics of a good thriller are strong & make for a quick, exciting read.
September 24, 2020
Another thrilling adventure in Croatia. Gambling has it’s consequences in life. Your past can come back to haunt you. This is a lesson we all must learn and Silvija can attest to that. If you need a story to make you think about your choices in life, read on. Choose your friends wisely. Ms. Gallo can teach you the path to take. Thanks for another enjoyable read.
October 5, 2020
The Player Without Luck is the first book I have read from Kristina Gallo and it was an interesting story. The scenes were well constructed and the plot fast-paced, keeping my interest. While it is a short read, a lot happens. If anything, I'd say it would make a good novel if the author wanted to expand on the story.
July 3, 2023
A gripping read!
A highly enjoyable story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Fantastic characters and great plotline.
It keeps you guessing throughout, which I love so much. Another formidable story from Kristina as always.
A highly enjoyable story that kept me on the edge of my seat. Fantastic characters and great plotline.
It keeps you guessing throughout, which I love so much. Another formidable story from Kristina as always.
June 28, 2024
This book has a great way of making you not sure who to cheer for until the very end. Sometimes evil hides in the shadows and this was no exception. On one hand the dead deserved to die, but the motives of the real killer are more sinister.
June 19, 2025
The Player Without Luck is a thriller noir about a gambler with a dark secret from the past. Lust and revenge could be motives for murder based on the circumstances. It lets readers discover what is going on. One not to be missed!
September 6, 2020
Another good read by Kristina Gallo, Silvija is a complex character who really does seem to have constant bad luck, or perhaps she just makes poor choices, but, does her run of bad luck continue, no spoilers, read it and find out
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews