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Lucky at Cards Audiobook, by Lawrence Block Play Audiobook Sample

Lucky at Cards Audiobook

Lucky at Cards Audiobook, by Lawrence Block Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Alan Sklar Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: August 2007 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781602832831

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

17

Longest Chapter Length:

27:23 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

12:52 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

17:55 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

88

Other Audiobooks Written by Lawrence Block: > View All...

Publisher Description

At cards and with women, Bill Maynard knew how to cheat …

On the mend after getting run out of Chicago, professional cardsharp Bill Maynard is hungry for some action … but not nearly as hungry as Joyce Rogers, the tantalizing wife of Bill’s latest mark. Together they hatch an ingenious scheme to get rid of her husband. But in life as in poker, the other player sometimes has an ace up his sleeve.

This classic pulp novel was originally released in 1964 as The Sex Shuffle under the pen name Sheldon Lord.

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"Cards, scotch, cigarettes, lust, betrayal, what's not to love? Block's writing is akin to Bukowski, in that he gets to the point, weaves an interesting tale and pulls on your emotions only when it matters most. No extra fluff or literary gymnastics. Despite being written in the mid sixties, the language is timeless and not dated, yet still makes you feel that you are fully there in that era observing and relating to the characters. Suspenseful, intriguing, gritty, yet sweet. It would make a fantastic movie!"

— Kari (5 out of 5 stars)

Lucky at Cards Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.5172413793103448 out of 53.5172413793103448 out of 53.5172413793103448 out of 53.5172413793103448 out of 53.5172413793103448 out of 5 (3.52)
5 Stars: 4
4 Stars: 16
3 Stars: 4
2 Stars: 1
1 Stars: 4
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Bill Maynard was a cheat at cards and good at it. The descriptions of how a cardshark works were interesting, but overall the book was plodding. The characters were flat and the pace dragged. The ending seemed unlikely. "

    — Denise, 2/20/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I'm just taken with the idea that in the early 60s a writer like Lawrence Block (a good writer based on these Hard Case Crime books I've read, though I haven't read his current work) would write these drugstore pulps, but so much better than they had to be. And it's so cool that Hard Case Crime reprints them. I'm happy. "

    — Remy, 1/21/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " More classics stuff from my favourite crime writer. These old titles can be picked up cheaply (and sometimes even free) from Amazon and are well worth the effort of searching out. This one's a cracker! "

    — Andrew, 1/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Nancy 4 stars; Ron 4 stars "

    — Ron, 1/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " It is a bit dated but otherwise a decent read. "

    — David, 1/11/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Block writes in a down to earth way that makes his characters and their situations real and his language is always apt and descriptive. "

    — Jim, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A meat and potatoes card sharp story with a simple structure, cleanly drawn characters and a taut plot line. The twist at the end is a nice touch. Maybe not Block's most exciting work, but well crafted nevertheless. "

    — Thomas, 1/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A good noir. The atmosphere of misery and loneliness and doom is nicely handled, if one disregards the ridiculously improbable ending. "

    — Isidore, 12/10/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I really liked the characters and the complicated plot. I am sure that I will read more Block. "

    — Lynette, 7/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great plot! I can't believe this isn't a movie! "

    — Roland, 5/24/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " You can't go wrong with Lawrence Block! "

    — Jonathan, 12/18/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This was one book I just couldn't put down. But that's how I've been feeling since I checked out a stack of Hard Case Crime books from the Library. "

    — Richard, 12/17/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Classic pulp fiction noir written in the '60s. I love the seedy grifter con-man stuff, pure entertainment. Thanks to the publisher Hard Case Crime for bringing these books out for Kindle. "

    — Doctorwu51, 9/20/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An ill short crime noir thriller. "

    — Man, 7/15/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A very fun, very great read. This had some great twists-- the most important one being that if the protagonist does actually does kill the man he gets nothing. This was great a slight break in formula that made this book a real gem of a story. "

    — Shawn, 3/8/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " another solid Block HCC novel. "

    — Nicholas, 11/22/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Maybe I have read too many Hard Case Crime books at this point. This book was so formulaic that nothing was new or a suprise. This reminds me of Double Indemity without compelling characters. "

    — Brian, 11/10/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Really liked this one - it's fast-paced, the author seems to know the subject and it had enough of a plot twist for me to not be able to see the ending a mile off. A decent story with some interesting characters and some good plot-lines. Worth a go.... "

    — Tim, 7/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I love Block's Hard Case Novels. They are so devilishly noirish. "

    — Steven, 7/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " one of the &quot;hard case crime&quot; paperbacks. PULP stuff.<br/>I liked it.... a card sharp (i thought it was card shark) with a pleasing ending. "

    — Steve, 5/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Block writes in a down to earth way that makes his characters and their situations real and his language is always apt and descriptive. "

    — Jim, 3/29/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Great read. Huge LB fan and this didn't disappoint. "

    — Matt, 1/8/2011
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Bill Maynard was a cheat at cards and good at it. The descriptions of how a cardshark works were interesting, but overall the book was plodding. The characters were flat and the pace dragged. The ending seemed unlikely. "

    — Denise, 10/11/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " <br/>Another dose of some retro-cool Lawrence Block. This time, it's a cardshark story with a twist. Not quite up there with Block's *The Girl With The Long Green Heart*, in my opinion, but a very solid four stars nonetheless. "

    — Jack, 9/28/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " another solid Block HCC novel. "

    — Nicholas, 7/22/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Another nice peek at the past from Hard Case Crime and, of the imprint's books I've read, one of the few with a somewhat happy ending. Not being interested in cards, my eyes kind of glazed over during those parts. But it was still a fun read. "

    — Micah, 5/6/2010
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " If a tax accountant wrote a romance novel it would read a lot like &quot;Lucky At Cards&quot;. Wow, I should take this one to the dentist. It almost put me under. "

    — Andy, 3/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " An ill short crime noir thriller. "

    — Man, 1/31/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Maybe I have read too many Hard Case Crime books at this point. This book was so formulaic that nothing was new or a suprise. This reminds me of Double Indemity without compelling characters. "

    — Brian, 12/7/2008

About Lawrence Block

Lawrence Block is the recipient of a Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America and a New York Times bestselling author. His prolific career spans over one hundred books, including four bestselling series and dozens of short stories and articles. He has won multiple Edgar, and Shamus awards, two Falcon Awards from the Maltese Falcon Society of Japan, the Nero and Philip Marlowe Awards, the Cartier Diamond Dagger from the Crime Writers Association of America, and many others. Aside from being a mystery writer, he has also written a number of episodes for television, including two episodes of the ESPN series Tilt; he also cowrote the screenplay for the film My Blueberry Nights, starring Norah Jones. Block currently lives in New York City with his wife, Lynne.

About Alan Sklar

Alan Sklar, a graduate of Dartmouth, has excelled in his career as a freelance voice actor. Named a Best Voice of 2009 by AudioFile magazine, his work has earned him several Earphones Awards, a Booklist Editors’ Choice Award (twice), a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award, and Audiobook of the Year by ForeWord magazine. He has also narrated thousands of corporate videos for clients such as NASA, Sikorsky Aircraft, IBM, Dannon, Pfizer, AT&T, and SONY.